Uzbekistan national football team facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Uzbekistan

Nickname(s)	White Wolves Turanians
Association	Uzbekistan Football Association (UFA)
Confederation	AFC (Asia)
Sub-confederation	CAFA (Central Asia)
Head coach	Srečko Katanec
Captain	Eldor Shomurodov
Most caps	Server Djeparov (128)
Top scorer	Eldor Shomurodov (41)
Home stadium	Milliy Stadium Pakhtakor Stadium
FIFA code	UZB
First colours Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	89 6 (7 February 2019)
Highest	45 (November 2006 – January 2007)
Lowest	119 (November 1996)
Elo ranking
Current	56 3 (3 March 2019)
Highest	43 (November 2016)
Lowest	95 (February 2001)
First international
Tajikistan 2–2 Uzbekistan  (Dushanbe, Tajikistan; 17 June 1992)
Biggest win
Uzbekistan 15–0 Mongolia  (Chiang Mai, Thailand; 5 December 1998)
Biggest defeat
Japan 8–1 Uzbekistan  (Sidon, Lebanon; 17 October 2000)
Asian Cup
Appearances	9 (first in 1996)
Best result	Fourth place (2011)
CAFA Nations Cup
Appearances	1 (first in 2023)
Best result	Runners-up (2023)

The Uzbekistan national football team represents Uzbekistan in international football. It is controlled by the Uzbekistan Football Association. The team is known as the White Wolves.

Uzbekistan has the best results among teams from Central Asia. They have never played in the FIFA World Cup, but they have qualified for every AFC Asian Cup since Uzbekistan became an independent country. In the 2011 Asian Cup, Uzbekistan reached the semi-finals for the first time. They also won the gold medal at the 1994 Asian Games in Japan.

History of Uzbekistan Football

Football started in Uzbekistan in 1912. Teams were formed in cities like Kokand, Ferghana, and Tashkent. They played matches against each other. The first championship in the Ferghana valley was held in 1914.

From 1924 to 1991, Uzbekistan was part of the Soviet Union. During this time, it was called the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1928, the Uzbekistan team played its first international match against a team from Switzerland and won 8-4. The team also played in the Spartakiad of Peoples of the USSR tournaments. In 1986, they reached the final, winning a silver medal. Uzbekistan was one of the top five football regions in the Soviet Union.

After the Soviet Union broke up, Uzbekistan became independent. The national team was reformed and played its first matches in 1992. Their first game was against Tajikistan. In 1994, the Uzbekistan Football Federation officially joined the AFC and FIFA.

The "Miracle of 1994" at the Asian Games

1994 Asian Games Final starting lineup on 16 October 1994, in Hiroshima (Japan)

The 1994 Asian Games was a huge success for Uzbekistan football. People called it the "Miracle of 1994." Even though the team was not expected to win, they played amazingly. They had a small budget and only 17 players. Many players who were from Russian families chose to play for Russia or Ukraine instead.

Uzbekistan was in a group with strong teams like Saudi Arabia. But they surprised everyone by beating Saudi Arabia 4-1. They also won against Malaysia (5-0) and Hong Kong (1-0). They finished first in their group after a thrilling 5-4 win over Thailand.

In the quarter-finals, they beat Turkmenistan 3-0. Then, in the semi-finals, they faced South Korea. South Korea had many players who had just played in the 1994 FIFA World Cup. But Uzbekistan won 1-0, reaching their first final as an independent country. In the final, Uzbekistan beat China 4-2 to win their first and only Asian title. This win made Uzbekistan a respected team in Asian football.

First Appearance in the AFC Asian Cup (1996)

Uzbekistan made its first appearance in the 1996 AFC Asian Cup. They had a dramatic qualification match against Tajikistan. After losing 0-4 away, they won 5-0 at home, winning 5-4 on total score.

In the tournament, Uzbekistan was in a group with Japan, China, and Syria. Many thought Uzbekistan would struggle. But they surprised China again, winning 2-0 with two late goals. However, Japan and Syria then defeated Uzbekistan, and they did not make it past the first round.

Trying for the FIFA World Cup (1998-2018)

Uzbekistan tried to qualify for the 1998 FIFA World Cup for the first time. They easily won their first group stage. But in the final stage, they faced stronger teams like South Korea and Japan. They only won one match against Kazakhstan. Since then, Uzbekistan has often come close to qualifying for the World Cup but has fallen short.

In the 2000 AFC Asian Cup, Uzbekistan had a tough time. They finished last in their group after big losses to Saudi Arabia and Japan.

For the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification, Uzbekistan won their first group. But in the second round, they struggled against teams like China and the UAE. They failed to qualify for the World Cup.

At the 2004 AFC Asian Cup, Uzbekistan reached the quarter-finals. They won all their group matches but lost to Bahrain in a penalty shootout.

In the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification, Uzbekistan beat Iraq. But they were knocked out by Bahrain due to a controversial referee decision. The first game, which Uzbekistan won 1-0, was cancelled. The replay ended in a draw, and Uzbekistan was eliminated.

At the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, Uzbekistan passed the group stage by beating Malaysia 5-0 and China 3-0. But they lost to Saudi Arabia 2-1 in the quarter-finals.

For the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification, Uzbekistan reached the final round. However, they finished last in their group, behind strong teams like Australia and Japan.

Best Asian Cup Result (2011)

Uzbekistan at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup

In the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, Uzbekistan achieved its best result ever, finishing in fourth place. They made it past the group stage and quarter-finals. But they lost badly to Australia 0-6 in the semi-final. They then lost to South Korea 3-2 in the third-place match.

Close Calls for the World Cup (2014 & 2018)

In the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification, Uzbekistan played very well. They won their group in the third round, even beating Japan away. In the fourth round, they finished third, tied on points with South Korea, but lost out on goal difference. They then played Jordan in a play-off. After two draws, Jordan won on penalties, and Uzbekistan missed out on the World Cup again.

At the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, Uzbekistan reached the quarter-finals. They finished second in a tough group. But they lost 2-0 to South Korea in extra time.

Uzbekistan continued their World Cup dream for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification. They reached the final round again. But they finished fourth in their group, just missing out on a play-off spot.

Recent Tournaments (2019-Present)

Uzbekistan at the 2019 AFC Asian Cup

In the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, Uzbekistan won their first two group games against Oman and Turkmenistan. This meant they moved past the group stage for the fifth time in a row. They lost their last group game to Japan. In the Round of 16, they faced Australia. The game ended 0-0 after extra time, and Australia won on penalties, ending Uzbekistan's journey.

For the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification, Uzbekistan had a disappointing campaign. They failed to reach the final round for the first time since 1998. A surprising loss to Palestine hurt their chances. Also, North Korea withdrew from the competition, which changed the group standings and helped other teams qualify instead of Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan then qualified for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup. They hosted their qualification group and won all three games without letting in any goals.

At the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, Uzbekistan was in a group with Australia, Syria, and India. Their star player, Eldor Shomurodov, was injured before the tournament. They drew 0-0 with Syria, then beat India 3-0. A 1-1 draw with Australia helped them finish second in their group. They beat Thailand 2-1 in the Round of 16. In the quarter-finals, they played against the host country, Qatar. The game was 1-1 after extra time, but Uzbekistan lost 3-2 in a penalty shootout.

Team Nicknames and Identity

Uzbekistan vs. Bahrain at Pakhtakor Central Stadium in 2009

The Uzbekistan national team has a few nicknames. The most common one is "The White Wolves" (Oq boʻrilar).

They are also sometimes called "Asian Italy" because their team colors (white and blue) are similar to Italy's. Also, both teams sometimes use defensive tactics. Uzbekistan's history is also very rich, like Italy's.

Another nickname is "Huma birds" (Humo qushlari). The mythical Huma bird is a national symbol of Uzbekistan and is on the country's emblem.

Sometimes, they are called "Turanians" (Turonliklar). This is because Uzbekistan is in the middle of the ancient region called Turan, and many old cities from that region are in Uzbekistan.

Team Rivalries

Uzbekistani fans at the 2019 Asian Cup in UAE

Uzbekistan's main rivals are other countries in Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan. Matches between these countries are always very exciting for fans.

Iran has also become a strong rival since they joined the Central Asian Football Federation in 2015. They have played many important matches in World Cup qualifiers. Uzbekistan also has rivalries with East Asian teams like China and South Korea.

Kit Sponsors

The Uzbekistan team wears different jerseys for competitions. For big tournaments, their jerseys often show off the team's identity. For qualifying games, they usually wear simpler jerseys with the Uzbekistan Football Association logo.

Supplier	Period
Adidas	1992–1997
Admiral	1998
Grand Sport	1999
Adidas	2000
Hummel	2001–2002
Umbro	2003
Puma	2004–2012
Joma	2013–2017
Adidas	2018
Jako	2019–present

Home Stadiums

Milliy Stadium

Pakhtakor Central Stadium

From 1992 until 2012, the main home stadium for the Uzbekistan national team was the Pakhtakor Central Stadium in Tashkent. This stadium was built in 1956 and can hold 35,000 fans. It was also the home stadium for the Uzbekistan SSR team during the Soviet Union.

Since 2013, the main home stadium has been the Milliy Stadium (also known as Bunyodkor Stadium until 2018). It was built between 2008 and 2012 and can hold 34,000 spectators.

Current Team and Coaching Staff

The current head coach of the Uzbekistan national football team is Srečko Katanec from Slovenia. He leads the team along with his assistant coaches and other staff.

Current Squad Players

Here are some of the players who were recently called up for the team:

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Utkir Yusupov	(1991-01-04) 4 January 1991 (age 34)	37	0	Foolad
12	1GK	Abduvohid Nematov	(2001-03-20) 20 March 2001 (age 24)	7	0	Nasaf
16	1GK	Botirali Ergashev	(1995-06-23) 23 June 1995 (age 30)	3	0	Neftchi
2	2DF	Abdukodir Khusanov	(2004-02-29) 29 February 2004 (age 21)	18	0	Lens
3	2DF	Khojiakbar Alijonov	(1997-04-19) 19 April 1997 (age 28)	39	1	Pakhtakor
4	2DF	Farrukh Sayfiev	(1991-01-17) 17 January 1991 (age 34)	59	1	Navbahor
5	2DF	Rustam Ashurmatov	(1996-07-07) 7 July 1996 (age 28)	40	1	Rubin Kazan
13	2DF	Sherzod Nasrullaev	(1998-07-23) 23 July 1998 (age 26)	26	2	Nasaf
15	2DF	Umar Eshmurodov	(1992-11-30) 30 November 1992 (age 32)	33	0	Selangor
18	2DF	Abdulla Abdullaev	(1997-09-01) 1 September 1997 (age 27)	23	0	Pakhtakor
23	2DF	Husniddin Aliqulov	(1999-04-04) 4 April 1999 (age 26)	28	3	Çaykur Rizespor
24	2DF	Umar Adkhamzoda	(1998-04-04) 4 April 1998 (age 27)	0	0	Pakhtakor
6	3MF	Akmal Mozgovoy	(1999-04-02) 2 April 1999 (age 26)	12	0	Nasaf
7	3MF	Otabek Shukurov	(1996-06-22) 22 June 1996 (age 29)	74	8	Al-Fayha
8	3MF	Jamshid Iskanderov	(1993-10-16) 16 October 1993 (age 31)	37	4	Navbahor
9	3MF	Odiljon Hamrobekov	(1996-02-13) 13 February 1996 (age 29)	61	1	Navbahor
19	3MF	Azizbek Turgunboev	(1994-10-01) 1 October 1994 (age 30)	37	4	Sivasspor
20	3MF	Khojimat Erkinov	(2001-05-29) 29 May 2001 (age 24)	31	4	Al Wahda
21	3MF	Abdurauf Buriev	(2002-07-20) 20 July 2002 (age 22)	0	0	Olympic Tashkent
22	3MF	Abbosbek Fayzullaev	(2003-10-03) 3 October 2003 (age 21)	23	7	CSKA Moscow
10	4FW	Jaloliddin Masharipov	(1993-09-01) 1 September 1993 (age 31)	70	12	Esteghlal
11	4FW	Azizbek Amonov	(1997-10-30) 30 October 1997 (age 27)	11	2	Neftchi
14	4FW	Eldor Shomurodov (captain)	(1995-06-29) 29 June 1995 (age 30)	78	41	Roma
17	4FW	Bobur Abdikholikov	(1997-04-23) 23 April 1997 (age 28)	18	1	Nasaf

Player Records

These are the players who have played the most games and scored the most goals for Uzbekistan.

Most Games Played

Server Djeparov is Uzbekistan's most capped player with 128 appearances.

Top Goal Scorers

Eldor Shomurodov is Uzbekistan's top scorer with 41 goals.

Team Achievements

Uzbekistan has won some important tournaments and medals.

Major Competitions

• Afro-Asian Cup of Nations
  • Runners-up (1): 1995
• Asian Games
  • Gold Medal (1): 1994

Regional Competitions

• CAFA Nations Cup
  • Runners-up: 2023

Friendly Tournaments

• Navruz Cup
  • Champions (1): 2022
• Merdeka Tournament
  • Champions (1): 2001
• Central Asian Cup
  • Runners-up (1): 1992
• China Cup
  • Third place (1): 2019

Images for kids

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  Supporters of the national team during a qualification match for the 2010 World Cup against Japan at Pakhtakor Stadium in Tashkent

See Also

• Uzbekistan national football team results
• Uzbekistan national under-23 football team
• Uzbekistan national under-20 football team
• Uzbekistan national under-17 football team
• Uzbekistan national futsal team
• Football in Uzbekistan
• Sport in Uzbekistan