Uzbekistan national football team

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.

Sheykin Tikhonov Davletov Magametov Fyodorov Ruzimov Qosimov Durmonov Shkvyrin Abduraimov Lebedev

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.^[3]

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.^[4] The replay ended 1–1, and after the return finished 0–0, Uzbekistan were eliminated.

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.

 

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.

 

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.^[5]

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.

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.

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.^[6]

 

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.

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.^[7][8][9]

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.

After qualifying for the Asian Cup, Uzbekistan was placed in Group B with familiar opponents Australia, as well as Syria and India. Prior to the tournament, Uzbekistan's star striker and all-time top goalscorer Eldor Shomurodov sustained a leg injury, ruling him out of the squad. Uzbekistan drew 0-0 in their opening game against Syria. However, they bounced back in their second match against India, winning 3-0. In their last match against Australia, Uzbekistan drew 1-1 in a hard-fought draw that guaranteed them progression to the round of 16 as the second-placed team in their group. They faced Thailand, whom they managed to beat 2-1. In the quarter-finals, they faced hosts Qatar. After the score was level at 1-1 after extra time, Uzbekistan lost 3-2 in the penalty shoot-out.

 

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).^{[10][11][12][13]}

Also, the Uzbekistan national football team is called "Asian Italy"^[14] (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.^[15]

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.^{[citation needed]}

Sometimes the Uzbekistan national football is called "Turanians"^[16] (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.^[17][18]

 

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.

Iran also became a fierce rival of the Uzbeks since the Persians joined the Central Asian Football Federation in 2015. Both teams played also in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers of Brazil 2014, Russia 2018, Qatar 2022 and in the recent qualification, 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Outside the Central Asia, the Uzbeks created some rivalries with East Asian nations like China and South Korea.

The Uzbekistan team often wears a variety of competition jerseys. At major continental or world tournaments, team often wear eye-catching jersey that highlight the team's identity. In qualifying tournaments, the team usually wears the normal plain jersey of the kit sponsor and only has the logo of the Uzbekistan Football Association printed on them.

Supplier	Period[19][20]
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

 

 

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.

Last updated: 15 October 2024. Statistics include official FIFA-recognised matches only.

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

Kyrgyzstan   v   Uzbekistan

25 December 2023 (2023-12-25) Friendly	Kyrgyzstan	1–4	Uzbekistan	Dubai, United Arab Emirates
19:30 UTC+4	Duyshobekov   89'	Report	Fayzullaev   23' Amonov   53' Masharipov   55' Gaybullaev   80'	Stadium: Al Maktoum Stadium

Palestine   v   Uzbekistan

7 January 2024 Friendly	Palestine	0–1	Uzbekistan	Doha, Qatar
17:00 UTC+3		Report	Abdikholikov   79'	Stadium: Hamad bin Khalifa Stadium

Uzbekistan   v   Syria

13 January 2024 2023 AFC Asian Cup GS	Uzbekistan	0–0	Syria	Al Rayyan, Qatar
20:30 UTC+3		Report		Stadium: Jassim bin Hamad Stadium Attendance: 10,198 Referee: Ahmed Al-Kaf (Oman)

India   v   Uzbekistan

18 January 2024 2023 AFC Asian Cup GS	India	0–3	Uzbekistan	Al Rayyan, Qatar
17:30 UTC+3		Report	Fayzullaev   4' Sergeev   18' Nasrullev   45+4'	Stadium: Ahmad bin Ali Stadium Attendance: 38,491 Referee: Fu Ming (China)

Australia   v   Uzbekistan

23 January 2024 2023 AFC Asian Cup GS	Australia	1–1	Uzbekistan	Al Wakrah, Qatar
14:30 UTC+3	Boyle   45+1' (pen.)	Report	Turgunboev   78'	Stadium: Al Janoub Stadium Attendance: 15,290 Referee: Yusuke Araki (Japan)

Uzbekistan   v   Thailand

30 January 2024 2023 AFC Asian Cup R16	Uzbekistan	2–1	Thailand	Al Wakrah, Qatar
14:30 UTC+3	Turgunboev   37' Fayzullaev   65'	Report	Supachok   58'	Stadium: Al Janoub Stadium Attendance: 18,691 Referee: Nazmi Nasaruddin (Malaysia)

Qatar   v   Uzbekistan

3 February 2024 2023 AFC Asian Cup QF	Qatar	1–1 (a.e.t.) (3–2 p)	Uzbekistan	Al Khor, Qatar
18:30 UTC+3	Al-Haydos   27'	Report	Hamrobekov   59'	Stadium: Al Bayt Stadium Attendance: 58,791 Referee: Kim Hee-gon (South Korea)
	Penalties
	Afif   Almoez   Ali Mukhtar   Al-Brake   Ró-Ró		Shukurov   Ashurmatov   Umarov   Abdurakhmatov   Masharipov

Hong Kong   v   Uzbekistan

21 March 2024 2026 World Cup qualification	Hong Kong	0–2	Uzbekistan	Mong Kok, Hong Kong
20:00 UTC+8		Report	Shomurodov   49' Ashurmatov   65'	Stadium: Mong Kok Stadium Attendance: 6,263 Referee: Kim Woo-sung (South Korea)

Uzbekistan   v   Hong Kong

26 March 2024 2026 World Cup qualification	Uzbekistan	3–0	Hong Kong	Tashkent, Uzbekistan
19:30 UTC+5	Shomurodov   20' Erkinov   63' Urunov   70'	Report		Stadium: Milliy Stadium Attendance: 29,584 Referee: Ahmed Faisal Al-Ali (Jordan)

Uzbekistan   v   Turkmenistan

6 June 2024 2026 World Cup qualification	Uzbekistan	3–1	Turkmenistan	Tashkent, Uzbekistan
19:30 UTC+5	Aliqulov   17' Urunov   29' Nasrullaev   70'	Report	Tirkişow   25'	Stadium: Milliy Stadium Attendance: 27,306 Referee: Yusuke Araki (Japan)

Iran   v   Uzbekistan

11 June 2024 2026 World Cup qualification	Iran	0–0	Uzbekistan	Tehran, Iran
20:30 UTC+3:30		Report		Stadium: Azadi Stadium Attendance: 15,403 Referee: Kim Jong-hyeok (South Korea)

Uzbekistan   v   North Korea

5 September 2024 2026 WCQ - 3rd round	Uzbekistan	1–0	North Korea	Tashkent, Uzbekistan
19:00 UTC+5	Masharipov   20'	Report		Stadium: Milliy Stadium Attendance: 24,205 Referee: Ahmed Al-Kaf (Oman)

Kyrgyzstan   v   Uzbekistan

10 September 2024 2026 WCQ - 3rd round	Kyrgyzstan	2–3	Uzbekistan	Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
20:00 UTC+6	Kojo   15' Abdurakhmanov   35'	Report	Shomurodov   17' Aliqulov   45' Urunov   72'	Stadium: Dolen Omurzakov Stadium Attendance: 13,282 Referee: Ahmed Al-Alili (Kuwait)

Uzbekistan   v   Iran

10 October 2024 2026 WCQ - 3rd round	Uzbekistan	0–0	Iran	Tashkent, Uzbekistan
19:00 UTC+5		Report		Stadium: Milliy Stadium Attendance: 33,829 Referee: Shaun Evans (Australia)

Uzbekistan   v   United Arab Emirates

15 October 2024 2026 WCQ - 3rd round	Uzbekistan	1–0	United Arab Emirates	Tashkent, Uzbekistan
19:00 UTC+5	Shukurov   76' (pen.)	Report		Stadium: Milliy Stadium Attendance: 32,773 Referee: Ma Ning (China)

Qatar   v   Uzbekistan

14 November 2024 2026 WCQ - 3rd round	Qatar	3–2	Uzbekistan	Al Rayyan, Qatar
19:15 UTC+3	Ali   25', 41' Mendes   90+12'	Report	Fayzullaev   75', 80'	Stadium: Jassim bin Hamad Stadium Attendance: 10,759 Referee: Kim Jong-hyeok (South Korea)

North Korea   v   Uzbekistan

19 November 2024 2026 WCQ - 3rd round	North Korea	0–1	Uzbekistan	Vientiane, Laos
19:00 UTC+7		Report	Fayzullaev   44'	Stadium: New Laos National Stadium Referee: Ahmed Al-Ali (Kuwait)

Uzbekistan   v   Kyrgyzstan

20 March 2025 2026 WCQ - 3rd round	Uzbekistan	v	Kyrgyzstan	Tashkent, Uzbekistan
--:-- UTC+5				Stadium: Milliy Stadium

Iran   v   Uzbekistan

25 March 2025 2026 WCQ - 3rd round	Iran	v	Uzbekistan	Tehran, Iran
--:-- UTC+3:30				Stadium: Azadi Stadium

United Arab Emirates   v   Uzbekistan

5 June 2025 2026 WCQ - 3rd round	United Arab Emirates	v	Uzbekistan	United Arab Emirates
--:-- UTC+4

Uzbekistan   v   Qatar

10 June 2025 2026 WCQ - 3rd round	Uzbekistan	v	Qatar	Tashkent, Uzbekistan
--:-- UTC+5				Stadium: Milliy Stadium

As of 19 November 2024

Position	Name
Head coach	Srečko Katanec
Assistant coaches	Aleš Čeh   Vlado Radmanović
Fitness coach	Martin Magister
Goalkeeper coach	Nihad Pejković
Physiotherapist	Ian Katanec
Interpreter	Davron Akhmedov

Name	Nat	Period	Matches	Wins	Draws	Losses	Win%
Rustam Akramov		June 1992 – October 1994	18	13	3	2	72%
Alexander Ivankov		July 1995 – November 1995	4	0	1	3	0%
Bahadir Ibrahimov		1996	8	2	0	6	25%
Rustam Mirsadiqov		May 1997 – October 1997	12	5	3	4	42%
Ubirajara Veiga da Silva		October 1997 – December 1998	11	5	4	2	45%
Mahmud Rahimov		July 1999 – November 1999	7	6	0	1	86%
Viktor Borisov		February 2000	1	1	0	0	100%
Pavel Sadyrin		April 2000 – May 2000	1	0	0	1	0%
Yuriy Sarkisyan		July 2000 – October 2000	6	1	1	4	17%
Vladimir Salkov		December 2000 – October 2001	21	12	3	6	57%
Leonid Ostroushko		October 2001	1	1	0	0	100%
Ravshan Haydarov		January 2002 – November 2004 June–July 2005	25	13	6	6	52%
Hans-Jürgen Gede		February 2005 – April 2005	3	0	1	2	0%
Bobby Houghton		July 2005 – December 2005	4	2	2	0	50%
Valery Nepomnyashchy		January 2006 – December 2006	6	3	2	1	50%
Rauf Inileev		January 2007 – September 2008	27	13	4	10	46%
Mirjalal Qasimov		September 2008 – April 2010	15	4	3	8	27%
Vadim Abramov		April 2010 – June 2012	28	11	5	12	39%
Mirjalal Qasimov		June 2012 – June 2015	40	19	9	12	48%
Samvel Babayan		June 2015 – September 2017	24	16	1	7	66%
Ruziqul Berdyev		October 2017	1	0	0	1	0%
Timur Kapadze		February 2018 – June 2018	4	0	1	3	0%
Héctor Cúper		August 2018 – September 2019	17	7	4	6	41%
Vadim Abramov		September 2019 – June 2021	17	10	0	7	58%
Srečko Katanec		August 2021 –	43	27	9	7	62%

The following players were called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification games against   Qatar and   North Korea on 14 and 19 November 2024, respectively. ^[21]

Caps and goals correct as of 19 November 2024 after the match against   North Korea.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Utkir Yusupov	(1991-01-04) 4 January 1991 (age 33)	37	0	Foolad
12	1GK	Abduvohid Nematov	(2001-03-20) 20 March 2001 (age 23)	7	0	Nasaf
21	1GK	Botirali Ergashev	(1995-06-23) 23 June 1995 (age 29)	3	0	Neftchi
2	2DF	Abdukodir Khusanov	(2004-02-29) 29 February 2004 (age 20)	18	0	Lens
3	2DF	Khojiakbar Alijonov	(1997-04-19) 19 April 1997 (age 27)	39	1	Pakhtakor
4	2DF	Farrukh Sayfiev	(1991-01-17) 17 January 1991 (age 33)	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 25)	28	3	Çaykur Rizespor
16	2DF	Umar Adkhamzoda	(1998-04-04) 4 April 1998 (age 26)	0	0	Pakhtakor
6	3MF	Akmal Mozgovoy	(1999-04-02) 2 April 1999 (age 25)	12	0	Nasaf
7	3MF	Otabek Shukurov	(1996-06-22) 22 June 1996 (age 28)	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 28)	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 23)	31	4	Al Wahda
24	3MF	Abdurauf Buriev	(2002-07-20) 20 July 2002 (age 22)	0	0	Pakhtakor
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 29)	78	41	Roma
17	4FW	Bobur Abdikholikov	(1997-04-23) 23 April 1997 (age 27)	18	1	Nasaf

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
DF	Mukhammadkodir Khamraliev	(2001-07-06) 6 July 2001 (age 23)	2	0	Pakhtakor	v.   United Arab Emirates, 15 October 2024
DF	Akramjon Komilov	(1996-03-14) 14 March 1996 (age 28)	8	0	AGMK	v.   Hong Kong, 26 March 2024
DF	Zafarmurod Abdurakhmatov	(2003-04-28) 28 April 2003 (age 21)	4	0	Nasaf	v.   Hong Kong, 26 March 2024
DF	Golib Gaybullaev	(1996-01-22) 22 January 1996 (age 28)	1	1	Nasaf	v.   Kyrgyzstan, 25 December 2023 PRE
MF	Diyor Kholmatov	(2002-07-22) 22 July 2002 (age 22)	5	0	Pakhtakor	v.   Iran, 11 June 2024
MF	Shokhboz Umarov	(1999-03-09) 9 March 1999 (age 25)	5	0	Ordabasy	2023 AFC Asian Cup
MF	Jamshid Boltaboev	(1996-10-03) 3 October 1996 (age 28)	4	0	Navbahor	2023 AFC Asian Cup
FW	Oston Urunov	(2000-12-19) 19 December 2000 (age 24)	32	8	Persepolis	v.   United Arab Emirates, 15 October 2024
FW	Igor Sergeyev	(1993-04-30) 30 April 1993 (age 31)	73	19	BG Pathum United	2023 AFC Asian Cup INJ
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.

As of 19 November 2024^[22]

Players in bold are still active with Uzbekistan.

 

 

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
1994	Not a FIFA member										Not a FIFA member						1994
1998	Did not qualify										14	6	4	4	33	21	1998
2002											14	7	3	4	33	19	2002
2006											14	6	5	3	24	15	2006
2010											16	8	1	7	33	17	2010
2014											18	11	5	2	28	9	2014
2018											18	11	1	6	26	14	2018
2022											8	5	0	3	18	9	2022
2026	Qualification in progress										12	8	3	1	21	9	2026
2030	To be determined										To be determined						2030
2034																	2034
Total	—	0/7	–	–	–	–	–	–	—		114	62	22	30	216	113	—

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
1992	Not an AFC member										Not an AFC member						1992
1996	Group stage	10th	3	1	0	2	3	6	Squad		2	1	0	1	5	4	1996
2000		12th	3	0	1	2	2	14	Squad		4	4	0	0	16	2	2000
2004	Quarter-finals	6th	4	3	1	0	5	2	Squad		6	4	1	1	13	6	2004
2007		7th	4	2	0	2	10	4	Squad		6	3	2	1	14	4	2007
2011	Fourth place	4th	6	3	1	2	10	13	Squad		4	3	0	1	7	3	2011
2015	Quarter-finals	8th	4	2	0	2	5	5	Squad		6	3	2	1	10	4	2015
2019	Round of 16	10th	4	2	1	1	7	3	Squad		8	7	0	1	20	7	2019
2023	Quarter-finals	5th	5	2	3	0	7	3	Squad		11	8	0	3	27	9	2023
2027	Qualified										6	4	2	0	13	4	2027
Total	Fourth place	9/9	33	15	7	11	49	50	—		53	37	7	9	125	43	—

AFC Asian Cup history
First match	China 0–2 Uzbekistan   (6 December 1996; Al Ain, United Arab Emirates)
Biggest win	Uzbekistan 5–0 Malaysia   (14 July 2007; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
Biggest defeat	Japan 8–1 Uzbekistan   (17 October 2000; Sidon, Lebanon)
Best result	Fourth place (2011)
Worst result	Group stage (1996, 2000)

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
1994	Gold medal	1st	7	7	0	0	23	7	Squad
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	—

Asian Games history
First match	Saudi Arabia 1–4 Uzbekistan   (1 October 1994; Hiroshima, Japan)
Last match	Uzbekistan 0–4 Iran   (14 December 1998; Bangkok, Thailand)
Biggest win	Uzbekistan 5–0 Malaysia   (3 October 1994; Hiroshima, Japan)
Biggest defeat	Uzbekistan 0–4 Iran   (14 December 1998; Bangkok, Thailand)
Best result	Gold medal (1994)
Worst result	Quarter-finals (1998)

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

CAFA Nations Cup history
First match	Uzbekistan 3–0 Oman   (11 June 2023; Tashkent, Uzbekistan)
Biggest win	Uzbekistan 5–1 Tajikistan   (17 June 2023; Tashkent, Uzbekistan)
Biggest defeat	Uzbekistan 0–1 Iran   (20 June 2023; Tashkent, Uzbekistan)
Best result	Runners-up (2023)
Worst result	—

 

As of 19 November 2024 after the match against   North Korea.^[23]

  Positive Record   Neutral Record   Negative Record

Nations	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Win %	Confederation	Best win	Worst loss
Albania	1	0	0	1	0	1	−1	000.00	UEFA	—	0–1
Armenia	2	0	0	2	1	5	−4	000.00	UEFA	—	1–3
Australia	5	0	2	3	1	10	−9	000.00	AFC	—	0–6
Azerbaijan	10	2	4	4	10	11	−1	020.00	UEFA	5–1	1–3
Bahrain	11	4	5	2	15	8	+7	036.36	AFC	4–0	0–1
Bangladesh	3	3	0	0	15	0	+15	100.00	AFC	6–0	—
Belarus	3	0	1	2	3	5	−2	000.00	UEFA	—	1–2
Bolivia	1	1	0	0	1	0	+1	100.00	CONMEBOL	1–0	—
Bosnia and Herzegovina	2	1	1	0	2	1	+1	050.00	UEFA	2–1	—
Burkina Faso	1	1	0	0	1	0	+1	100.00	CAF	1–0	—
Cambodia	2	2	0	0	10	1	+9	100.00	AFC	6–0	—
Cameroon	1	1	0	0	2	0	+2	100.00	CAF	2–0	—
Canada	1	0	0	1	1	2	−1	000.00	CONCACAF	—	1–2
China	14	8	1	5	21	15	+6	057.14	AFC	3–0	1–3
Chinese Taipei	7	7	0	0	30	1	+29	100.00	AFC	9–0	—
Costa Rica	1	0	0	1	1	2	−1	000.00	CONCACAF	—	1–2
Estonia	2	0	2	0	3	3	+0	000.00	UEFA	—	—
Georgia	2	0	1	1	2	3	−1	000.00	UEFA	—	0–1
Hong Kong	9	6	3	0	15	3	+12	066.67	AFC	4–1	—
India	6	5	1	0	14	3	+11	083.33	AFC	4–0	—
Indonesia	2	1	1	0	4	1	+3	050.00	AFC	3–0	—
Iran	16	1	4	11	5	19	−14	006.25	AFC	1–0	0–4
Iraq	11	5	3	3	10	8	+2	045.45	AFC	2–0	0–2
Israel	1	0	0	1	0	2	−2	000.00	UEFA	—	0–2
Japan	11	1	3	7	10	30	−20	009.09	AFC	1–0	1–8
Jordan	14	7	5	2	21	15	+6	050.00	AFC	4–1	0–3
Kazakhstan	7	3	3	1	10	4	+6	042.86	UEFA	4–0	0–1
Kuwait	6	3	1	2	12	9	+3	050.00	AFC	3–0	1–2
Kyrgyzstan	10	10	0	0	38	7	+31	100.00	AFC	6–0	—
Latvia	1	1	0	0	3	0	+3	100.00	UEFA	3–0	—
Lebanon	6	4	2	0	8	1	+7	066.67	AFC	3–0	—
Malaysia	6	6	0	0	24	3	+21	100.00	AFC	5–0	—
Maldives	1	1	0	0	4	0	+4	100.00	AFC	4–0	—
Mexico	1	0	1	0	3	3	+0	000.00	CONCACAF	—	—
Mongolia	2	2	0	0	23	1	+22	100.00	AFC	15–0	—
Montenegro	1	0	0	1	0	1	−1	000.00	UEFA	—	0–1
Morocco	1	0	0	1	0	2	−2	000.00	CAF	—	0–2
New Zealand	1	1	0	0	3	1	+2	100.00	OFC	3–1	—
Nigeria	2	0	0	2	2	4	−2	000.00	CAF	—	2–3
North Korea	12	9	2	1	22	7	+15	075.00	AFC	4–0	2–4
Oman	7	3	0	4	12	9	+3	042.86	AFC	5–0	2–4
Palestine	6	5	0	1	10	2	+8	083.33	AFC	3–0	0–2
Philippines	2	2	0	0	6	1	+5	100.00	AFC	5–1	—
Qatar	16	9	3	4	27	17	+10	056.25	AFC	5–1	0–3
Russia	1	0	1	0	0	0	+0	000.00	UEFA	—	—
Saudi Arabia	12	4	1	7	15	27	−12	033.33	AFC	4–1	0–5
Senegal	1	0	1	0	1	1	+0	000.00	CAF	—	—
Singapore	4	4	0	0	18	4	+14	100.00	AFC	5–0	—
Slovakia	1	0	0	1	1	4	−3	000.00	UEFA	—	1–4
South Korea	16	1	4	11	14	34	−20	006.25	AFC	1–0	1–5
South Sudan	1	1	0	0	3	0	+3	100.00	CAF	3–0	—
Sri Lanka	2	2	0	0	9	0	+9	100.00	AFC	6–0	—
Sweden	1	0	0	1	1	2	−1	000.00	UEFA	—	1–2
Syria	7	2	2	3	5	5	+0	028.57	AFC	2–0	1–2
Tajikistan	10	6	3	1	23	10	+13	060.00	AFC	5–0	0–4
Thailand	10	5	0	5	19	19	+0	050.00	AFC	3–0	1–4
Turkey	1	0	0	1	0	2	−2	000.00	UEFA	—	0–2
Turkmenistan	13	11	1	1	32	7	+25	084.62	AFC	4–0	0–1
Uganda	1	1	0	0	4	2	+2	100.00	CAF	4–2	—
Ukraine	2	0	0	2	1	4	−3	000.00	UEFA	—	0–2
United Arab Emirates	18	5	4	9	20	25	−5	027.78	AFC	4–0	1–4
United States	1	0	0	1	0	3	−3	000.00	CONCACAF	—	0–3
Uruguay	2	0	0	2	0	6	−6	000.00	CONMEBOL	—	0–3
Venezuela	1	0	1	0	1	1	+0	000.00	CONMEBOL	—	—
Vietnam	3	3	0	0	8	1	+7	100.00	AFC	3–0	—
Yemen	6	6	0	0	16	2	+14	100.00	AFC	5–0	—
Total (66)	341	166	67	108	596	380	+216	048.68	—	15–0	1–8

As of 24 October 2024

• FIFA-ranking yearly averages for Uzbekistan (1994–2024)^[24]

Legend:   Best ranking   Worst ranking   Best mover   Worst mover

Uzbekistan's FIFA world rankings
Rank		Year	Pld	Best		Worst
				Rank	Move	Rank	Move
	58	2024	14	58	8	66	1
	68	2023	13	68	9	75	3
	77	2022	10	77	12	85	2
	84	2021	9	83	2	86	3
	85	2020	6	84	1	85	4
	85	2019	16	82	4	89	7
	95	2018	10	72	3	96	15
	78	2017	8	60	2	80	18
	62	2016	12	48	26	74	14
	74	2015	13	71	2	76	5
	74	2014	13	51	13	74	17
	68	2013	12	55	11	68	13
	67	2012	13	63	10	77	4
	75	2011	17	73	33	108	2
	109	2010	7	75	1	109	20
	76	2009	11	69	3	85	11
	72	2008	13	55	19	76	18
	64	2007	18	45	11	64	12
	45	2006	6	45	20	61	13
	59	2005	8	46	7	62	4
	47	2004	11	47	5	84	5
	81	2003	10	109	13	112	5
	98	2002	2	64	4	98	5
	62	2001	20	60	1	74	6
	71	2000	8	55	13	72	6
	55	1999	7	55	4	88
	66	1998	9	66	41	107	2
	79	1997	14	79	33	112	3
	109	1996	8	95	2	119	19
	97	1995	2	82	2	97	15
	78	1994	11	77	1	78	1