In a conversation with Telecomasia.net, Jafar Irismetov, a former footballer and the ex-sporting director of Pakhtakor, shared his thoughts about Uzbekistan's qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
On June 5, Uzbekistan played a goalless draw against the United Arab Emirates in the World Cup qualifying round, securing second place in their group and marking their first-ever advancement to the World Cup.
“I believe this victory belongs to the entire Uzbek nation, and they are rejoicing for our footballers. It’s a great win for our football; we have long wanted to participate in the World Cup. The emotions are overwhelming.
It’s still early to talk about the World Cup, but I believe we should show some great football, as we now have players in the national team who can hold their own against the world’s giants.
"The team performed well and achieved the desired result. The guys understood that even a single point would qualify them for the World Cup, so I think they chose to play it safe. They played excellently, and I also congratulate the head coach Kapadze for this success,” said Irismetov.
