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Uzbekistan national football team facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
This page is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Uzbekistan women's national football team.
Quick facts for kids
Uzbekistan
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s) White Wolves
Turanians
Association Uzbekistan Football Association (UFA)
Confederation AFC (Asia)
Sub-confederation CAFA (Central Asia)
Head coach Srečko Katanec
Captain Jaloliddin Masharipov
Most caps Server Djeparov (128)
Top scorer Eldor Shomurodov (40)
Home stadium Milliy Stadium
Pakhtakor Stadium
FIFA code UZB
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 89 Increase 6 (7 February 2019)
Highest 45 (November 2006 – January 2007)
Lowest 119 (November 1996)
Elo ranking
Current 56 Increase 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 8 (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 (Uzbek: Oʻzbekiston milliy futbol terma jamoasi / Ўзбекистон миллий футбол терма жамоаси) represents Uzbekistan in international football and is controlled by the Uzbekistan Football Association, the governing body for football in Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan holds the highest competitive results among teams from Central Asia. Although they have never qualified to the World Cup, the team has qualified for every AFC Asian Cup since post-independence formation. At the 2011 Asian Cup, Uzbekistan reached the semi-finals of the tournament for the first time. At other competitions such as the Asian Games, Uzbekistan won the gold medal in 1994 in Japan, while finishing as the runners-up at the Afro-Asian Cup of Nations in 1995.

History

The year of birth of football in Uzbekistan is 1912 (read more in this article), since it was then that football teams were created in Kokand, a little later in Ferghana, Andijan, Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Urganch, between which began to be held long-distance matches. The first championship of Ferghana valley was held in 1914, the Championship of the Uzbekistan SSR began to be played since 1926, and the drawing of the Uzbekistan SSR Cup began to be carried out since 1939. From 1924 to 1991 Uzbekistan was part of the Soviet Union (USSR) as the Uzbekistan Soviet Socialist Republic (UzSSR).

In 1928, the national team of Uzbekistan was created for the first time, which took part in the Spartakiade, which included representatives of some European countries. At this tournament, the national team of Uzbekistan Soviet Socialist Republic held its first international match against team of jobs Switzerland and won with a score of 8:4. Until mid-1991, Uzbekistan was part of the USSR and had its own national team as well as the rest of the Union republics, which mostly played matches within teams and teams of the USSR, in particular in football tournaments of the Spartakiad of Peoples of the USSR. The national team of the Uzbekistan SSR participated in all draws of the football tournament of the Spartakiad of Peoples of the USSR, and in the 1986 tournament reached the final, lost to the Ukrainian SSR (modern Ukraine) team with a score of 0–1, thereby winning the silver medal of the tournament. Throughout the history of Soviet Union, Uzbekistan SSR was one of five main center of football development in the country, alongside Russia SFSR, Ukraine SSR, Belarus SSR and Georgia SSR.

The most powerful football clubs, as well as semi-professional and professional clubs of the Uzbekistan SSR participated in the USSR Football League (Higher League, First League, Second League and Second League B) and USSR Cup. Nonprofessional clubs of the Uzbekistan SSR participated in the Uzbekistan SSR Championship and the Uzbekistan SSR Cup.

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, and Uzbekistan gaining independence, the national team of Uzbekistan of the new convocation was organized. The national team held its first matches in 1992. The first game of the national team of Uzbekistan was a match against Tajikistan, in the framework of the Central Asian Cup 1992 (the tournament was held once) initiated by FIFA. These matches are officially registered by FIFA on the basis of the fact that the national team of Uzbekistan has been allowed since 1992 to participate in tournaments held under the auspices of FIFA. At the drawing of this tournament in the format of the league, the national team of Uzbekistan was the second after the national team of Kazakhstan. In the first year of existence, the national team of Uzbekistan held matches only with the teams of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. In 1993, the team has not played a single match.

In 1992, Uzbekistan was also a member of the CIS national football team, which existed for one year and replaced the USSR national football team and instead participated in the Euro 1992.

Most of the former Soviet republics became members of UEFA (Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan), and Uzbekistan also wanted to become a member of UEFA. But like the rest of the republics of Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan), chose AFC. In 2002, Kazakhstan became a member of UEFA for better development of its football, but Uzbekistan chose to remain in the AFC.

In 1994, the Uzbekistan Football Federation was officially adopted by the AFC and FIFA. In the same year Uzbekistan won in the international tournament the Cup of Independence of Uzbekistan, and at the end of the year the national team won in the ending the national team of China with the score 4:2, became the winner of football tournament of the Asian Games of 1994 which took place in the Japanese city of Hiroshima.

1994 Asian Games

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

The 1994 Asian Games tournament was considered as the shocking successful birth of Uzbekistan, and gives prelude for the rise of Uzbekistan as a serious Asian contender. The tournament would go on remembered as "Miracle of 1994".

Although the tournament was mostly for amateur players at the time (the under-23 competed only since 2002), Uzbekistan was not considered to be a favourite to win the tournament. In addition, the Uzbek team lacked support with only 17 players and a budget below $14.000 for the new born Football Federation. Conflict also emerged internally as Rustam Akramov was appointed as the head coach of Uzbekistan while the more popular Berador Abduraimov became assistant, which Abduraimov resented greatly. Not just that, many of its players, mostly Russian-ethnic based players, chose to represent Russia or Ukraine, or some to Nigeria, following the fall of USSR. The two major clubs, Pakhtakor and Neftchi, formed majority of their players for Uzbek team, traveling to Japan with little expectation.

Nonetheless, Uzbekistan would mark the tournament with an outstanding performance. Grouped with powerhouse Saudi Arabia, two Southeast Asian sides Thailand and Malaysia, alongside Hong Kong, the Uzbeks shocked Hiroshima with a 4–1 victory over the Saudis. It was followed by 5–0 victory over Malaysia, hard-fought 1–0 win over Hong Kong before sealing its first place in a 5–4 thriller over Thailand. In the quarter-finals, Uzbekistan crushed neighbor Turkmenistan 3–0 to advance to the semi-finals where they faced South Korea. The Korean side included nine players that had already participated in the 1994 FIFA World Cup and was expected to steamroll Uzbekistan easily, having beaten hosts Japan in the previous match. However, Uzbekistan shocked South Korea with a 1–0 victory to advance to the final, its first ever final since gaining independence from the Soviet Union.

In their final game against China, Uzbekistan created its miracle, beating the rising Chinese side 4–2 to capture its first and only Asian honor two years after its creation. This miraculous conquest gave Uzbekistan a new fresh image, and would boost Uzbekistan's position as a serious contender for future Asian competitions.

1996 AFC Asian Cup

Uzbekistan overcame its rival and neighbor Tajikistan in an insane comeback. Having been beaten 0–4 away in Dushanbe, Uzbekistan looked like would miss its debut. Yet, Uzbekistan overturned the game at home, crushing Tajikistan 5–0 to win 5–4 on aggregate, thus giving Uzbekistan its first ever debut in the tournament.

In 1996 AFC Asian Cup, Uzbekistan was grouped with Japan, China and Syria. Unlike the Asian Games, the Asian Cup was regarded as tougher because it consisted of professional teams. Under these conditions, Uzbekistan, which only appeared in the 1994 Asian Games, was regarded very low.

Yet, in their opening game against China, Uzbekistan stunned all predictions. Despite rampant Chinese pressure, Uzbekistan held their nerves and overcame China with two shock late goals to give them a 2–0 win and its first ever points in the tournament. This shock victory of Uzbekistan, however, raised alarms for other opponents, Japan and Syria didn't tolerate Uzbekistan, and destroyed the Uzbeks in the two decisive matches. Because of it, Uzbekistan stood bottom in their group and failed to make it through the first round.

1998 FIFA World Cup qualification

Uzbekistan put a decent performance in the country's first-ever attempt to qualify for World Cup, at the 1998 World Cup qualifiers. Grouped with Yemen, Cambodia and Indonesia in the first stage, Uzbekistan proved to be too strong for the rest, with the team only failed to win once, an away draw to the Indonesians. Shortly after, the Uzbeks gallantly marched into the final stage, however, things would prove to be more difficult, with Uzbekistan did not have luck in facing with more powerful South Korea, Japan and the UAE. The only win for Uzbekistan came after the match against neighbor Kazakhstan. Little to know for many Uzbek supporters, this would begin to make the country as the choker of every major World Cup qualifications, with the team often fell short in their final quest.

2000 AFC Asian Cup

The 2000 AFC Asian Cup for Uzbekistan was a whitewashed moment, in a terrible way as it became Uzbekistan's worst ever performance in many major competition. Grouped again with Japan, Saudi Arabia and the new opponent Qatar, Uzbekistan was dumped in the bottom once more, with two devastating losses to Saudi Arabia and Japan, alongside its 1–1 draw to Qatar.

2002 FIFA World Cup qualification

Uzbekistan participated in the first round in order to qualify for the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan and South Korea. As thing stood, Uzbekistan were able to dominate the group stage and qualify for the second round. The group contained themselves with China, the UAE, Oman and Qatar. The Uzbeks were unable to make any major breakthrough in the second round, losing twice to the Emirates, two away defeats toward China and Oman and an away draw to Qatar confirmed Uzbekistan's failure to qualify, despite a late win over already qualified China in the final match.

2004 AFC Asian Cup

Uzbekistan failed to make further impact on the continental stage until they reached the last eight of the 2004 Asian Cup, topping their group after winning all matches, where they were beaten by Bahrain after a penalty shoot-out.

2006 FIFA World Cup qualification

That performance was followed by a victory over Iraq in the second qualifying round for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, with goals from Maksim Shatskikh and Alexander Geynrikh sending them through to the last eight.

They were knocked out in the final stage of the Asian qualification to the 2006 World Cup after losing on the away goals rule to Bahrain. The result was subject to controversy as actually three games were played; the first, a 1–0 win for Uzbekistan, was wiped out after FIFA declared the result void after a mistake by Toshimitsu Yoshida, a Japanese referee. The replay ended 1–1, and after the return finished 0–0, Uzbekistan were eliminated.

2007 AFC Asian Cup

In the 2007 Asian Cup, Uzbekistan was able to get past the group stage by beating Malaysia 5–0 and China PR 3–0. However, Uzbekistan was knocked out of the tournament in the quarter-finals by losing to Saudi Arabia 2–1.

2010 FIFA World Cup qualification

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

After having three foreign coaches (German Hans-Jürgen Gede, Englishman Bob Houghton and Russian Valeri Nepomniachi) in three years, Uzbekistan turned to former Uzbekistan Olympic team coach Rauf Inileev. During qualification for the 2010 World Cup, Uzbekistan advanced to the fourth round of the Asian qualifiers after winning their first four matches, but finished last in Group A of the final round behind favorites Australia, Japan, Bahrain and Qatar, with four points from eight matches.

2011 AFC Asian Cup

Uzbekistan national football team
Uzbekistan at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup

Four years later, in the 2011 Asian Cup, Uzbekistan ended in fourth place, their all-time best result in the tournament. After getting past the group stage and quarter-finals, the Uzbek team lost their first opportunity to reach the Asian Cup finals when Australia thrashed the team 0–6 in the semi-final game. Several days later, they were defeated again by South Korea in the third place match 3-2.

2014 FIFA World Cup qualification

In qualification for the 2014 World Cup, Uzbekistan advanced to the fourth round of the Asian qualifiers after winning their group in the third round over perennial favorites Japan. Uzbekistan finished with 16 points (five wins and one draw), which was more than any other team in the third round, including an impressive 1–0 away win against Japan.

In the fourth round of the qualifiers, Uzbekistan finished third in Group A behind Iran and South Korea. Uzbekistan had the same number of points as South Korea (14 points), who had a better goal difference by one goal.

The two teams who finished third in the fourth round groups (Jordan and Uzbekistan) played each other in the fifth round to determine the AFC participant in the intercontinental play-off. The games took place on 6 and 10 September 2013. With the two teams still evenly matched at full-time in the second leg, Jordan eventually progressed to the intercontinental play-off after winning 9–8 on penalties.

2015 AFC Asian Cup

In the 2015 Asian Cup, Uzbekistan advanced to the quarter-finals after finishing as runners-up in the tough Group B, which was won by China, while Saudi Arabia and North Korea were eliminated. However, the team was knocked out of the tournament in the quarter-finals after losing 2–0 in extra time to South Korea.

2018 FIFA World Cup qualification

Uzbekistan continued their quest to head to the World Cup during 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification in Russia, but their campaign had been shattered with a humiliating 2–4 defeat to North Korea. However, the Uzbeks soon bounced back and won the last remaining matches to top the group and qualified to the 2019 AFC Asian Cup as well as the last round. Once again, Uzbekistan in the last round, missed an opportunity when they finished fourth, behind Iran, South Korea and Syria, when Uzbekistan could only manage a 0–0 draw to the South Koreans last match.

2019 AFC Asian Cup

TUR-UZB 20190113 Asian Cup 9
Uzbekistan at the 2019 AFC Asian Cup

Uzbekistan started their 2019 Asian Cup campaign with a 2–1 victory over Oman and continued with a 4–0 win over neighbor Turkmenistan, which guaranteed Uzbekistan to progress from the group stage for the fifth consecutive time, despite ending with a 1–2 defeat to Japan in the last match. However, they had to face Australia, then-champions of Asia. Despite playing well, Uzbekistan could not break the deadlock as it ended 0–0 after 120 minutes. In the penalty shootout, Australia prevailed with a 4–2 win, thus Uzbekistan's dream was crushed in the round of sixteen.

2022 FIFA World Cup qualification

In the second qualifying round for the 2022 World Cup, Uzbekistan suffered another disappointment by failing to qualify for the final round, a first since the Central Asian team had always reached the final round since it took part in the qualifying rounds of a World Cup, the first time being the 1998 edition. The White Wolves did not manage to finish among the five best runners-up, with a record of 5 wins against 3 defeats (in the first and second leg against Saudi Arabia, leader of group D, as well as in the first leg away against Palestine), in which the latter's shock loss to Palestine proved detrimental. Moreover, Uzbekistan's failure was also compounded by the fact that North Korea, originally competed in the qualification's Group H of the same round, surprisingly withdrew due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in which FIFA and AFC then ruled North Korea's results as null and void, directly played a crucial role in helping other Group H opponent Lebanon to qualify ahead of Uzbekistan, since Lebanon's original results against North Korea were poor with a draw and a loss.

2023 AFC Asian Cup qualification

Uzbekistan then took part in the third qualifying round for the 2023 Asian Cup. Designated as the host country of Group C (due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Asia), the Central Asians took advantage of this advantage and the relative weakness of most of their opponents to win all three games and finish top of their group without conceding a goal, validating their qualification for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup.

Team image

Nicknames

Uzbekistan vs Bahrain 2009
Uzbekistan vs. Bahrain at Pakhtakor Central Stadium in 2009

The Uzbekistan national team has received several nicknames by supporters and media. The most common one used is "The White Wolves" (Uzbek: Oq boʻrilar / Оқ бўрилар).

Also, the Uzbekistan national football team is called "Asian Italy" (Uzbek: Osiyo Italiyasi / Осиё Италияси). This is due to the similarity of colors (white and blue) clothing teams of Italy and Uzbekistan, as well as similar tactics (defensive football) of these teams. The Uzbekistan Super League is often considered to be similar to Italian Serie A. Also, the history of Uzbekistan is as rich and ancient as the history of Italy.

Also the team of Uzbekistan is called "Huma birds" (Uzbek: Humo qushlari / Ҳумо қушлари). The mythical Huma bird is the national bird of Uzbekistan, and is depicted on the state emblem of Uzbekistan. The Huma bird is depicted on the emblem of the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Sometimes the Uzbekistan national football is called "Turanians" (Uzbek: Turonliklar / Туронликлар), because the current country of Uzbekistan is located in the center of this ancient region Turan, and all the ancient and major cities of this region are located in this country, and therefore Uzbekistan is considered by some to be the successor of the Turan.

Rivalries

TUR-UZB 20190113 Asian Cup 1
Uzbekistani fans at the 2019 Asian Cup in UAE

The main rivals of the Uzbekistan national team are the countries of Central Asia, the national teams of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan. However, the main and most important rivals of the national team of Uzbekistan are Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. The matches between the countries of Central Asia have always aroused great interest among fans throughout the region, in spite of Uzbekistan's dominance since the fall of the USSR. Football is one of the instruments of rivalry between the states of Central Asia, dating back to the Soviet era.

Kit sponsorship

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

Home stadium

Bunyodkor stadium2
Milliy Stadium
Pakhtakor Markaziy Stadium
Pakhtakor Central Stadium

From the moment of its formation (1992) until the end of 2012, the main home stadium of the Uzbekistan national football team was the Pakhtakor Central Stadium in Tashkent, built and opened in 1956. This stadium is also the venue for home matches of Pakhtakor Football Club. During the USSR, this stadium was home for the Uzbekistan SSR national team. Was reconstructed in 1996, 2008 and 2012 and currently holds 35,000 spectators (before this capacity was 55,000 spectators). For today's time the national team of Uzbekistan holds only some of the matches at Pakhtakor Stadium.

From 2013 to the present, the main home stadium of the Uzbekistan national team is the Milliy Stadium (until 2018 was named Bunyodkor Stadium), built in 2008–2012 and accommodating 34,000 spectators. This stadium is also a home for the Bunyodkor Football Club.

Home venues record

Last updated: 26 March 2024. Statistics include official FIFA-recognised matches only.

Results and fixtures

Main article: Uzbekistan national football team results (2020–present)

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

      Win       Draw       Loss       Fixture

2023

2024

Coaching staff

Position Name
Head coach Slovenia Srečko Katanec
Assistant coach Slovenia Aleš Čeh
Slovenia Vlado Radmanović
Fitness coach Argentina Martin Magister
Goalkeeper coach Bosnia and Herzegovina Nihad Pejković
Physiotherapist Slovenia Ian Katanec
Interpreter Uzbekistan Davron Akhmedov

Coaching history

Players

Current squad

The following 23 players were called for up for the Uzbekistan's 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against  Hong Kong on 21 and 26 March.

Caps and goals correct as of 26 March 2024 after the match against  Hong Kong.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Utkir Yusupov (1991-01-04) 4 January 1991 (age 33) 29 0 Uzbekistan Navbahor Namangan
12 1GK Abduvohid Nematov (2001-03-20) 20 March 2001 (age 23) 7 0 Uzbekistan Nasaf
16 1GK Botirali Ergashev (1995-06-23) 23 June 1995 (age 29) 3 0 Uzbekistan Neftchi
2 2DF Abdukodir Khusanov (2004-02-29) 29 February 2004 (age 20) 12 0 France Lens
3 2DF Akramjon Komilov (1996-03-14) 14 March 1996 (age 28) 8 0 Uzbekistan AGMK
4 2DF Farrukh Sayfiev (1991-01-17) 17 January 1991 (age 33) 55 1 Uzbekistan Navbahor Namangan
5 2DF Rustam Ashurmatov (1996-07-07) 7 July 1996 (age 28) 34 1 Russia Rubin Kazan
13 2DF Zafarmurod Abdurakhmatov (2003-04-28) 28 April 2003 (age 21) 4 0 Uzbekistan Nasaf
15 2DF Umar Eshmurodov (1992-11-30) 30 November 1992 (age 31) 29 0 Malaysia Selangor
18 2DF Abdulla Abdullaev (1997-09-01) 1 September 1997 (age 27) 16 0 United Arab Emirates Khor Fakkan
23 2DF Husniddin Aliqulov (1999-04-04) 4 April 1999 (age 25) 20 1 Turkey Çaykur Rizespor
6 3MF Diyor Kholmatov (2002-07-22) 22 July 2002 (age 22) 4 0 Uzbekistan Pakhtakor Tashkent
7 3MF Otabek Shukurov (1996-06-22) 22 June 1996 (age 28) 67 7 Turkey Kayserispor
8 3MF Jamshid Iskanderov (1993-10-16) 16 October 1993 (age 31) 35 4 Uzbekistan Navbahor Namangan
9 3MF Odiljon Hamrobekov (1996-02-13) 13 February 1996 (age 28) 53 1 Uzbekistan Navbahor Namangan
10 3MF Jaloliddin Masharipov (1993-09-01) 1 September 1993 (age 31) 62 11 Iran Esteghlal
11 3MF Oston Urunov (2000-12-19) 19 December 2000 (age 23) 27 6 Iran Persepolis
19 3MF Azizbek Turgunboev (1994-10-01) 1 October 1994 (age 30) 32 4 Turkey Sivasspor
20 3MF Khojimat Erkinov (2001-05-29) 29 May 2001 (age 23) 27 4 United Arab Emirates Al Wahda
22 3MF Abbosbek Fayzullaev (2003-10-03) 3 October 2003 (age 21) 15 4 Russia CSKA Moscow
14 4FW Eldor Shomurodov (captain) (1995-06-29) 29 June 1995 (age 29) 71 40 Italy Cagliari
17 4FW Bobur Abdikholikov (1997-04-23) 23 April 1997 (age 27) 14 1 Uzbekistan Nasaf
21 4FW Azizbek Amonov (1997-10-30) 30 October 1997 (age 27) 9 2 United Arab Emirates Khor Fakkan

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called for the last 12 months and are still eligible to represent.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Umidjon Ergashev (1999-03-20) 20 March 1999 (age 25) 0 0 Uzbekistan Nasaf v.  Mexico, 13 September 2023
GK Valijon Rahimov (1995-02-16) 16 February 1995 (age 29) 1 0 Uzbekistan AGMK v.  Venezuela, 28 March 2023
DF Mukhammadkodir Khamraliev (2001-07-06) 6 July 2001 (age 23) 2 0 Uzbekistan Pakhtakor Tashkent 2023 AFC Asian Cup
DF Sherzod Nasrullaev (1998-07-23) 23 July 1998 (age 26) 18 1 Uzbekistan Nasaf 2023 AFC Asian Cup INJ
DF Khojiakbar Alijonov (1997-04-19) 19 April 1997 (age 27) 33 1 Uzbekistan Pakhtakor Tashkent 2023 AFC Asian Cup INJ
DF Golib Gaybullaev (1996-01-22) 22 January 1996 (age 28) 1 1 Uzbekistan Nasaf  Kyrgyzstan, 25 December 2023 PRE
DF Alibek Davronov (2002-12-28) 28 December 2002 (age 21) 3 0 Uzbekistan Nasaf v.  Iran, 21 November 2023
DF Dilshod Saitov (1999-02-02) 2 February 1999 (age 25) 8 0 Uzbekistan Pakhtakor Tashkent v.  Mexico, 13 September 2023
DF Shahzad Azmiddinov (2000-08-07) 7 August 2000 (age 24) 0 0 Uzbekistan Pakhtakor Tashkent v.  Mexico, 13 September 2023
DF Ibrokhimkhalil Yuldoshev (2001-02-14) 14 February 2001 (age 23) 16 1 Kazakhstan Kairat v. CAFA Nations Cup, 20 June 2023 U23
DF Saidazamat Mirsaidov (2001-07-19) 19 July 2001 (age 23) 0 0 Uzbekistan Olympic v.  Venezuela, 28 March 2023
MF Shokhboz Umarov (1999-03-09) 9 March 1999 (age 25) 5 0 Kazakhstan Ordabasy 2023 AFC Asian Cup
MF Jamshid Boltaboev (1996-10-03) 3 October 1996 (age 28) 4 0 Uzbekistan Navbahor Namangan 2023 AFC Asian Cup
MF Abdurauf Buriev (2002-07-20) 20 July 2002 (age 22) 0 0 Uzbekistan Olympic Tashkent  Kyrgyzstan, 25 December 2023 PRE
MF Azizjon Ganiev (1998-02-22) 22 February 1998 (age 26) 15 0 United Arab Emirates Shabab Al-Ahli v.  Iran, 21 November 2023
MF Abror Ismoilov (1998-01-08) 8 January 1998 (age 26) 12 0 Uzbekistan Navbahor Namangan v.  Mexico, 13 September 2023
MF Akmal Mozgovoy (1999-04-02) 2 April 1999 (age 25) 10 0 Uzbekistan Nasaf v.  Mexico, 13 September 2023
MF Sardor Sabirkhodjaev (1994-09-06) 6 September 1994 (age 30) 16 0 Uzbekistan Pakhtakor v. CAFA Nations Cup, 20 June 2023 PRE
FW Igor Sergeyev (1993-04-30) 30 April 1993 (age 31) 73 19 Thailand BG Pathum United 2023 AFC Asian Cup INJ
FW Jasurbek Yakhshiboev (1997-06-24) 24 June 1997 (age 27) 10 2 Kazakhstan Ordabasy v.  Iran, 21 November 2023

U23 Included in the U-23 national team.
PRE Preliminary squad standby.
SUS Player suspended.
INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury.
RET Retired from the national team.
WD Player withdrew from the squad for non-injury related reasons.

Player records

Players in bold are still active with Uzbekistan.

Most capped players

Server Djeparov playing for Esteghlal against Tractor Sazi 02
Server Djeparov is Uzbekistan's most capped player with 128 appearances.
Rank Name Caps Goals Career
1 Server Djeparov 128 25 2002–2017
2 Timur Kapadze 119 10 2002–2015
3 Odil Ahmedov 108 21 2007–2021
4 Ignatiy Nesterov 105 0 2002–2019
5 Anzur Ismailov 102 3 2007–2019
6 Alexander Geynrikh 97 31 2002–2017
7 Aziz Haydarov 85 1 2007–2018
8 Islom Tukhtakhodjaev 73 2 2009–2021
Igor Sergeev 73 19 2013–present
9 Vitaliy Denisov 72 1 2006–2018

Top goalscorers

Eldor Shomurodov
Eldor Shomurodov is Uzbekistan's top scorer with 40 goals.
Rank Name Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Eldor Shomurodov 40 71 0.56 2015–present
2 Maxim Shatskikh 34 61 0.56 1999–2014
3 Mirjalol Qosimov 31 67 0.46 1992–2005
Alexander Geynrikh 31 97 0.32 2002–2017
5 Server Djeparov 25 128 0.2 2002–2017
6 Odil Ahmedov 21 108 0.19 2007–2021
7 Igor Shkvyrin 20 31 0.65 1992–2000
8 Igor Sergeev 19 73 0.26 2013–present
9 Jafar Irismetov 15 36 0.42 1997–2007
10 Ulugbek Bakayev 14 52 0.27 2001–2014

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Result Position Pld W D L GF GA Squad Pld W D L GF GA —
1930 to 1990 Part of the  Soviet Union Part of the  Soviet Union
United States 1994 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member 1994
France 1998 Did not qualify 14 6 4 4 33 21 1998
South Korea Japan 2002 14 7 3 4 33 19 2002
Germany 2006 14 6 5 3 24 15 2006
South Africa 2010 16 8 1 7 33 17 2010
Brazil 2014 18 11 5 2 28 9 2014
Russia 2018 18 11 1 6 26 14 2018
Qatar 2022 8 5 0 3 18 9 2022
Canada Mexico United States 2026 Qualification in progress 4 3 1 0 10 3 2026
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030 To be determined To be determined 2030
Saudi Arabia 2034 2034
Total — 0/7 – – – – – – — 106 57 20 29 205 107 —

AFC Asian Cup

Main article: Uzbekistan at the AFC Asian Cup
AFC Asian Cup record Qualification record
Year Result Position Pld W D L GF GA Squad Pld W D L GF GA —
1956 to 1988 Part of the  Soviet Union Part of the  Soviet Union
Japan 1992 Not an AFC member Not an AFC member 1992
United Arab Emirates 1996 Group stage 10th 3 1 0 2 3 6 Squad 2 1 0 1 5 4 1996
Lebanon 2000 Group stage 12th 3 0 1 2 2 14 Squad 4 4 0 0 16 2 2000
China 2004 Quarter-finals 6th 4 3 1 0 5 2 Squad 6 4 1 1 13 6 2004
Indonesia Malaysia Thailand Vietnam 2007 Quarter-finals 7th 4 2 0 2 10 4 Squad 6 3 2 1 14 4 2007
Qatar 2011 Fourth place 4th 6 3 1 2 10 13 Squad 4 3 0 1 7 3 2011
Australia 2015 Quarter-finals 8th 4 2 0 2 5 5 Squad 6 3 2 1 10 4 2015
United Arab Emirates 2019 Round of 16 10th 4 2 1 1 7 3 Squad 8 7 0 1 20 7 2019
Qatar 2023 Quarter-finals 5th 5 2 3 0 7 3 Squad 11 8 0 3 27 9 2023
Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualified 4 3 1 0 10 3 2027
Total Fourth place 9/9 33 15 7 11 49 50 — 51 36 6 9 122 42 —

Asian Games

Football at the Asian Games has been an under-23 tournament since 2002.
Asian Games record
Year Result Position Pld W D L GF GA Squad
1951 to 1990 Part of the  Soviet Union
Japan 1994 Gold medal 1st 7 7 0 0 23 7 Squad
Thailand 1998 Quarter-finals 7th 6 3 2 1 25 8 Squad
2002–present See Uzbekistan national under-23 football team
Total 1 Gold medal 2/2 13 10 2 1 48 15 —

CAFA Nations Cup

CAFA Nations Cup record
Year Result Position Pld W D L GF GA Squad
Kyrgyzstan Uzbekistan 2023 Runners-up 2nd 4 3 0 1 10 2 Squad
Total Runners-up 1/1 4 3 0 1 10 2 —

Head-to-head record

Main article: Uzbekistan national football team records and statistics
Uzbekistan national football team opponents
All opponents that the Uzbekistan football team has played at least once

As of 26 March 2024 after the match against  Hong Kong.

      Positive Record       Neutral Record       Negative Record

By confederation

FIFA ranking history

See also: FIFA World Rankings
Rank Date
Best Rank 45 Nov. 2006 – Jan. 2007
Current Rank 66 February 2024
Worst Rank 119 November 1996
  • FIFA-ranking yearly averages for Uzbekistan (1994–2024)


Honours

Intercontinental
  • Afro-Asian Cup of Nations
    • Runners-up (1): 1995
Continental
Regional
  • CAFA Championship
    • Runners-up: 2023
Frienly/Invitational
  • Navruz Cup
    • Champions (1): 2022
  • Merdeka Tournament
    • Champions (1): 2001
  • Central Asian Cup
    • Runners-up (1): 1992
  • China Cup
    • Third place (1): 2019

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Uzbekistán para niños

  • 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
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