Uzbekistan Makes 1st World Cup Debut for Central Asia
Updated
Updated · NPR · Jun 27
Uzbekistan Makes 1st World Cup Debut for Central Asia
3 articles · Updated · NPR · Jun 27
Summary
Uzbekistan has reached the World Cup for the first time, becoming the first Central Asian nation ever to qualify for football's biggest tournament.
That breakthrough has turned the team into a national showcase, with Uzbek fans using the occasion to highlight the country's identity, culture and place on the global stage.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev cast the squad as a symbol of the "new Uzbekistan," linking the sporting milestone to the country's broader national image and ambitions.