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South China Morning Post
8 hours ago
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Uzbekistan, Jordan savour sweet taste of success after making World Cup for first time
Uzbekistan coach Timur Kapadze lauded the efforts of his players but said 'this victory belongs to all of us' after the Central Asian country qualified for the World Cup for the first time. In Jordan, meanwhile, huge celebrations erupted after the national team also qualified for the 2026 World Cup, earning their first-ever spot at the four-yearly football bonanza following a decisive 3-0 victory against Oman. While Uzbekistan and Jordan made history on Thursday, the pair will be joined by perennial participants South Korea, who also booked their place. Uzbekistan's White Wolves – ranked 57th in the world – claimed their spot with a 0-0 draw in the United Arab Emirates, which guaranteed Kapadze's side a top-two finish in Group A, alongside already-qualified Iran. Uzbekistan have tried and failed to qualify seven times since their independence after the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991, suffering heartbreak in the final stage of continental qualifiers for Germany 2006 and Brazil 2014. A drone show in Amman to celebrate Jordan's qualification for the 2026 Fifa World Cup. Photo: Xinhua A genuine force in Asia since their 1994 Asian Games triumph, the Uzbekistan FA has invested heavily in youth development in the attempt to take the final step onto the world stage.
Asharq Al-Awsat
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Uzbekistan Savor Sweet Taste of Success after Sealing World Cup Spot
Uzbekistan coach Timur Kapadze lauded the efforts of his players after the Central Asian country qualified for the World Cup for the first time. The White Wolves claimed their spot at the expanded 48-team 2026 finals on Thursday with a 0-0 draw in the United Arab Emirates, which guaranteed Kapadze's side a top-two finish in Group A, alongside already-qualified Iran. Uzbekistan have tried and failed to qualify seven times since their independence after the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991, suffering heartbreak in the final stage of continental qualifiers for Germany 2006 and Brazil 2014. A genuine force in Asia since their 1994 Asian Games triumph, the Uzbekistan FA has invested heavily in youth development in the attempt to take the final step onto the world stage. Kapadze has reaped the dividends with a young generation of players, including Manchester City's 21-year-old center back Abdukodir Khusanov at his disposal. "We have achieved an important result after a long and difficult journey. A lot of work was done for this result, I sincerely congratulate our people," Kapadze told Uzbekistan's online publication Zamin. "This is not only our victory, but the victory of our entire people. Our players showed determination in every match, worked with all their might, and we achieved the result ... " Kapadze, who played 119 times for Uzbekistan and led the under-23 team at last year's Olympic Games, was appointed coach after Srecko Katanec left because of illness in January. "Before the game, (everyone) expressed their confidence in our team's victory and expected a good result from us," he said. "This confidence also became a great responsibility and pressure for us. But we managed to overcome this pressure and complete the task." Kapadze was mobbed by his players in his post-match press conference and received a congratulatory telephone call from Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. "In a fierce competition against the strongest teams in Asia, you demonstrated true character, unbreakable will, and professionalism," Mirziyoyev said.
The Hindu
13 hours ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers: Uzbekistan seals maiden berth with goalless draw against UAE
Uzbekistan coach Timur Kapadze lauded the efforts of his players after the Central Asian country qualified for the World Cup for the first time. The White Wolves claimed their spot at the expanded 48-team 2026 finals on Thursday with a 0-0 draw in the United Arab Emirates, which guaranteed Kapadze's side a top-two finish in Group A, alongside already-qualified Iran. Uzbekistan has tried and failed to qualify seven times since its independence after the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991, suffering heartbreak in the final stage of continental qualifiers for Germany 2006 and Brazil 2014. A genuine force in Asia since its 1994 Asian Games triumph, the Uzbekistan FA has invested heavily in youth development in the attempt to take the final step onto the world stage. Kapadze has reaped the dividends with a young generation of players, including Manchester City's 21-year-old centre back Abdukodir Khusanov at his disposal. 'We have achieved an important result after a long and difficult journey. A lot of work was done for this result, I sincerely congratulate our people,' Kapadze told Uzbekistan's online publication Zamin. 'This is not only our victory, but the victory of our entire people. Our players showed determination in every match, worked with all their might, and we achieved the result ... ' Kapadze, who played 119 times for Uzbekistan and led the under-23 team at last year's Olympic Games, was appointed coach after Srecko Katanec left because of illness in January. 'Before the game, (everyone) expressed their confidence in our team's victory and expected a good result from us,' he said. 'This confidence also became a great responsibility and pressure for us. But we managed to overcome this pressure and complete the task.' Kapadze was mobbed by his players in his post-match press conference and received a congratulatory telephone call from Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. 'In a fierce competition against the strongest teams in Asia, you demonstrated true character, unbreakable will, and professionalism,' Mirziyoyev said.
Business Recorder
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Business Recorder
Uzbekistan savour sweet taste of success after sealing World Cup spot
Uzbekistan coach Timur Kapadze lauded the efforts of his players after the Central Asian country qualified for the World Cup for the first time. The White Wolves claimed their spot at the expanded 48-team 2026 finals on Thursday with a 0-0 draw in the United Arab Emirates, which guaranteed Kapadze's side a top-two finish in Group A, alongside already-qualified Iran. Uzbekistan have tried and failed to qualify seven times since their independence after the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991, suffering heartbreak in the final stage of continental qualifiers for Germany 2006 and Brazil 2014. A genuine force in Asia since their 1994 Asian Games triumph, the Uzbekistan FA has invested heavily in youth development in the attempt to take the final step onto the world stage. Kapadze has reaped the dividends with a young generation of players, including Manchester City's 21-year-old centre back Abdukodir Khusanov at his disposal. 'We have achieved an important result after a long and difficult journey. A lot of work was done for this result, I sincerely congratulate our people,' Kapadze told Uzbekistan's online publication Zamin. 'This is not only our victory, but the victory of our entire people. Our players showed determination in every match, worked with all their might, and we achieved the result … ' Kapadze, who played 119 times for Uzbekistan and led the under-23 team at last year's Olympic Games, was appointed coach after Srecko Katanec left because of illness in January. Ronaldo fires Portugal into Nations League final 'Before the game, (everyone) expressed their confidence in our team's victory and expected a good result from us,' he said. 'This confidence also became a great responsibility and pressure for us. But we managed to overcome this pressure and complete the task.' Kapadze was mobbed by his players in his post-match press conference and received a congratulatory telephone call from Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. 'In a fierce competition against the strongest teams in Asia, you demonstrated true character, unbreakable will, and professionalism,' Mirziyoyev said.
Straits Times
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Uzbekistan savour sweet taste of success after sealing World Cup spot
Uzbekistan coach Timur Kapadze lauded the efforts of his players after the Central Asian country qualified for the World Cup for the first time. The White Wolves claimed their spot at the expanded 48-team 2026 finals on Thursday with a 0-0 draw in the United Arab Emirates, which guaranteed Kapadze's side a top-two finish in Group A, alongside already-qualified Iran. Uzbekistan have tried and failed to qualify seven times since their independence after the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991, suffering heartbreak in the final stage of continental qualifiers for Germany 2006 and Brazil 2014. A genuine force in Asia since their 1994 Asian Games triumph, the Uzbekistan FA has invested heavily in youth development in the attempt to take the final step onto the world stage. Kapadze has reaped the dividends with a young generation of players, including Manchester City's 21-year-old centre back Abdukodir Khusanov at his disposal. "We have achieved an important result after a long and difficult journey. A lot of work was done for this result, I sincerely congratulate our people," Kapadze told Uzbekistan's online publication Zamin. "This is not only our victory, but the victory of our entire people. Our players showed determination in every match, worked with all their might, and we achieved the result ... " Kapadze, who played 119 times for Uzbekistan and led the under-23 team at last year's Olympic Games, was appointed coach after Srecko Katanec left because of illness in January. "Before the game, (everyone) expressed their confidence in our team's victory and expected a good result from us," he said. "This confidence also became a great responsibility and pressure for us. But we managed to overcome this pressure and complete the task." Kapadze was mobbed by his players in his post-match press conference and received a congratulatory telephone call from Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. "In a fierce competition against the strongest teams in Asia, you demonstrated true character, unbreakable will, and professionalism," Mirziyoyev said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
