Uzbekistan World Cup 2026

AFC Qualified 8 Teams for the 2026 World Cup: The Complete Asian Guide

AFC Qualified 8 Teams for the 2026 World Cup banner showing Asian football players in a stadium-style celebration graphic

AFC Qualified 8 Teams for the 2026 World Cup through a five-round campaign that sent Japan, Iran, South Korea, Australia, Uzbekistan, Jordan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia directly to the 2026 tournament, while Iraq advanced to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Play-Off Tournament. Here’s the complete Asian qualifying guide, from Japan becoming the first non-host nation to qualify to the controversy of Round 4 and Iraq’s final route through Monterrey.

Uzbekistan at the 2026 World Cup: Central Asia’s Historic First

Uzbekistan at the 2026 World Cup banner showing Uzbekistan players and coach Fabio Cannavaro in a stadium with the headline Uzbekistan at the 2026 World Cup: Central Asia’s Historic First

Uzbekistan at the 2026 World Cup begins with a 0-0 draw in Abu Dhabi on June 5, 2025 — a result sealed by goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov’s late save that sent the White Wolves to their first-ever finals. As the first Central Asian nation to qualify (and the third former Soviet republic after Russia and Ukraine), Uzbekistan enter Group K with Portugal, Colombia and the FIFA Play-Off Path 1 winner. Qualification was secured under Timur Kapadze, while Fabio Cannavaro takes charge at the finals, bringing World Cup-winning pedigree to a debut tournament that could redefine Central Asian football.