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Uzbekistan national football team

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This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Uzbekistan women's national football team.

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
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)White Wolves
Turanians
AssociationUzbekistan Football Association (UFA)
ConfederationAFC (Asia)
Sub-confederationCAFA (Central Asia)
Head coachSrečko Katanec
CaptainEldor Shomurodov
Most capsServer Djeparov (128)
Top scorerMaksim Shatskikh & Eldor Shomurodov (34)
Home stadiumMilliy Stadium
Pakhtakor Stadium
FIFA codeUZB
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 77 Steady (22 December 2022)[1]
Highest45 (November 2006 – January 2007)
Lowest119 (November 1996)
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
Appearances8 (first in 1996)
Best resultFourth place (2011)

Uzbekistan holds the highest competitive results among teams from Central Asia. Although they have never qualified to the World Cup, the team has qualified to 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.

HistoryEdit

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 gained 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. Anyway, there are many supporters of Uzbekistan's membership in UEFA. Since they believe that Uzbekistan shows European football, and Soviet Uzbekistan, which was part of the USSR, has long been a member of UEFA.

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 GamesEdit

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 however was regarded very low. In addition, the Uzbek perpetration was rigorous, with only 17 players and a budget below $14.000 for the new born Football Federation. Conflict also emerged within as Rustam Akramov was appointed as the first 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 quarter-finals, Uzbekistan taunted neighbor Turkmenistan 3–0 to advance to semi-finals where they faced South Korea. The Koreans sent up nine players that already participated in the 1994 FIFA World Cup and was expected to steamroll Uzbekistan easily, having beaten hosts Japan thanked for a controversial late penalty. Yet, Japanese fans held this grief, cheered Uzbekistan against South Korea and with Japanese support, Uzbekistan shocked South Korea with a 1–0 victory to advance to the final, its first ever final since becoming independence from the Soviet Union.

In their final game against China, Uzbekistan created its miracle, beating the rising Chinese 4–2 to capture its first, and only, Asian honor two years after its existence. This miraculous conquest gave Uzbekistan a new freshing image, and would boost Uzbekistan's position as a serious contender for future Asian competitions.[3]

1996 AFC Asian CupEdit

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, destroying Tajikistan 5–0 to win 5–4 on aggregate, thus gave 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 was for main team squad. 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 qualificationEdit

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 CupEdit

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 qualificationEdit

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 CupEdit

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 qualificationEdit

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.

2007 AFC Asian CupEdit

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 qualificationEdit

 
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 CupEdit

 
Uzbekistan at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup.

Four years later, in the 2011 Asian Cup, Uzbekistan ended in fourth place, their best result in the tournament so far. After getting past the group stage and quarter-finals, the Uzbek team lost what it might have been their first Asian Cup final when Australia thrashed the team 0–6 in their semi-final game. Some days later, they were defeated again by South Korea in the third place playoff.[5]

2014 FIFA World Cup qualificationEdit

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 CupEdit

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 qualificationEdit

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]

2019 AFC Asian CupEdit

 
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 qualificationEdit

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).

2023 AFC Asian Cup qualificationEdit

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 imageEdit

NicknamesEdit

 
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).[7][8][9][10]

Also, the Uzbekistan national football team is called "Asian Italy"[11] (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.[12] 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.[13]

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"[14] (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.[15][16]

RivalriesEdit

 
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 sponsorshipEdit

Supplier Period[17][18]
  Adidas 1992–1997
  Admiral 1998
  Grand Sport 1999
  Adidas 2000
  Hummel 2001–2002
  Umbro 2003
  Puma 2004–2012
  Joma 2013–2018
  Adidas 2018
  Jako 2019–present

Home stadiumEdit

 
Milliy 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 recordEdit

Last updated: 20 November 2022. Statistics include official FIFA-recognised matches only.

Recent results and forthcoming fixturesEdit

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

2022Edit

8 June 2022 (2022-06-08) 2023 AFC AC Q - 3rd Round Uzbekistan   3–0   Sri Lanka Namangan, Uzbekistan
20:30 UTC+5
Report Stadium: Markaziy Stadium
Attendance: 12,400
Referee: Thoriq Alkatiri (Indonesia)
11 June 2022 (2022-06-11) 2023 AFC AC Q - 3rd Round Maldives   0–4   Uzbekistan Namangan, Uzbekistan
20:30 UTC+5 Report
Stadium: Markaziy Stadium
Attendance: 9,066
Referee: Masoud Tufaylieh (Syria)
14 June 2022 (2022-06-14) 2023 AFC AC Q - 3rd Round Uzbekistan   2–0   Thailand Namangan, Uzbekistan
20:30 UTC+5
Report Stadium: Markaziy Stadium
Attendance: 21,405
Referee: Hasan Akrami (Iran)
23 September 2022 (2022-09-23) Friendly Cameroon   0–2   Uzbekistan Goyang, South Korea
15:00 UTC+9 Report
Stadium: Goyang Stadium
Referee: Kim Woo-Sung (Korea)
27 September 2022 (2022-09-27) Friendly Uzbekistan   1–2   Costa Rica Suwon, South Korea
15:00 UTC+9
Report
Stadium: Suwon World Cup Stadium
Referee: Kim Dae-Yong (Korea)
16 November 2022 (2022-11-16) Friendly Uzbekistan   2–0   Kazakhstan Tashkent, Uzbekistan
18:00 UTC+5
Report Stadium: Pakhtakor Stadium
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Sergei Karasev (Russia)
20 November 2022 (2022-11-20) Friendly Uzbekistan   0–0   Russia Tashkent, Uzbekistan
17:00 UTC+5 Report Stadium: Pakhtakor Stadium
Attendance: 14,539
Referee: Daniyar Sakhi (Kazakhstan)

2023Edit

24 March 2023 (2023-03-24) Friendly Bolivia   0–1   Uzbekistan Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
21:00 UTC+3 Report   36' Shomurodov Stadium: King Abdullah Sports City
Referee: Faisal Al-Balawi (Saudi Arabia)
28 March 2023 (2023-03-28) Friendly Uzbekistan   1–1   Venezuela Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
21:00 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: King Abdullah Sports City
Referee: Khaled Saleh Al-Turais (Saudi Arabia)
6 September 2023 (2023-09-06) Friendly Bulgaria   v   Uzbekistan Sofia, Bulgaria
Report

Coaching staffEdit

As of 28 March 2023
Position Name
Head coach   Srečko Katanec
Assistant coach   Aleš Čeh
  Vlado Radmanović
Fitness coach   Martin Magister
Goalkeeper coach   Nihad Pejković
Physiotherapist   Ian Katanec
Interpreter   Davron Akhmedov

Coaching historyEdit

PlayersEdit

Current squadEdit

  • The following players were called up for the friendly matches.[19]
  • Match dates: 24 and 28 March 2023
  • Opposition:   Bolivia and   Venezuela
  • Caps and goals correct as of: 28 March 2023, after the match against   Venezuela
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
12 1GK Utkir Yusupov (1991-01-04) 4 January 1991 (age 32) 13 0   Navbahor Namangan
1 1GK Abduvohid Nematov (2001-03-20) 20 March 2001 (age 22) 6 0   Nasaf
21 1GK Valijon Rahimov (1995-02-16) 16 February 1995 (age 28) 1 0   AGMK
4 2DF Ibrokhimkhalil Yuldoshev (2001-02-14) 14 February 2001 (age 22) 14 1   Nizhny Novgorod
5 2DF Rustam Ashurmatov (1996-07-07) 7 July 1996 (age 26) 23 0   Rubin Kazan
15 2DF Umar Eshmurodov (1992-11-30) 30 November 1992 (age 30) 13 0   Nasaf
18 2DF Abdulla Abdullaev (1997-09-01) 1 September 1997 (age 25) 9 0   AGMK
23 2DF Husniddin Aliqulov (1999-04-04) 4 April 1999 (age 23) 12 0   Nasaf
13 2DF Sherzod Nasrullaev (1998-07-23) 23 July 1998 (age 24) 7 0   Nasaf
2 2DF Alibek Davronov (2002-12-28) 28 December 2002 (age 20) 1 0   Nasaf
3 2DF Khojiakbar Alijonov (1997-04-19) 19 April 1997 (age 25) 23 0   Pakhtakor Tashkent
16 2DF Saidazamat Mirsaidov (2001-07-19) 19 July 2001 (age 21) 0 0   Olympic Tashkent
7 3MF Otabek Shukurov (1996-06-22) 22 June 1996 (age 26) 52 3   Karagümrük
9 3MF Odiljon Hamrobekov (1996-02-13) 13 February 1996 (age 27) 33 0   Pakhtakor Tashkent
19 3MF Azizbek Turgunboev (1994-10-01) 1 October 1994 (age 28) 19 1   Pakhtakor Tashkent
17 3MF Sardor Sabirkhodjaev (1994-09-06) 6 September 1994 (age 28) 14 0   Pakhtakor Tashkent
11 3MF Oston Urunov (2000-12-19) 19 December 2000 (age 22) 10 2   Ural Yekaterinburg
10 3MF Jaloliddin Masharipov (1993-09-01) 1 September 1993 (age 29) 46 9   Al-Nassr
6 3MF Azizjon Ganiev (1998-02-22) 22 February 1998 (age 25) 10 0   Shabab Al-Ahli
8 3MF Jamshid Iskanderov (1993-10-16) 16 October 1993 (age 29) 25 3   Navbahor Namangan
14 4FW Eldor Shomurodov (1995-06-29) 29 June 1995 (age 27) 63 34   Spezia
22 4FW Bobur Abdikholikov (1997-04-23) 23 April 1997 (age 25) 5 0   Ordabasy
20 4FW Jasurbek Yakhshiboev (1997-06-24) 24 June 1997 (age 25) 5 1   Navbahor Namangan

Recent call-upsEdit

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 Botirali Ergashev (1995-06-23) 23 June 1995 (age 27) 1 0   AGMK v.   Russia, 20 November 2022
GK Umidjon Ergashev (1999-03-20) 20 March 1999 (age 24) 0 0   Nasaf v.   Thailand, 14 June 2022
DF Farrukh Sayfiev (1991-01-17) 17 January 1991 (age 32) 39 1   Pakhtakor Tashkent v.   Bolivia, 24 March 2023 INJ
DF Ruslanbek Jiyanov (2001-06-05) 5 June 2001 (age 21) 1 0   Olympic Tashkent v.   Russia, 20 November 2022
DF Dilshod Saitov (1999-02-02) 2 February 1999 (age 24) 5 0   Nasaf v.   Russia, 20 November 2022
DF Islom Kobilov (1997-06-01) 1 June 1997 (age 25) 12 0   Lokomotiv Tashkent v.   Costa Rica, 27 September 2022
MF Khojimat Erkinov (2001-05-29) 29 May 2001 (age 21) 15 2   Torpedo Moscow v.   Bolivia, 24 March 2023 INJ
MF Dostonbek Khamdamov (1996-07-24) 24 July 1996 (age 26) 33 5   Pakhtakor Tashkent v.   Russia, 20 November 2022
MF Akmal Mozgovoy (1999-04-02) 2 April 1999 (age 23) 8 0   Nasaf v.   Russia, 20 November 2022
MF Oybek Bozorov (1997-08-07) 7 August 1997 (age 25) 16 0   Nasaf v.   Kazakhstan, 16 November 2022
MF Shokhboz Umarov (1999-03-09) 9 March 1999 (age 24) 4 0   Ordabasy v.   Costa Rica, 27 September 2022
FW Igor Sergeyev (1993-04-30) 30 April 1993 (age 29) 66 17   Tobol v.   Bolivia, 24 March 2023 PRE
FW Azizbek Amonov (1997-10-30) 30 October 1997 (age 25) 5 1   Esteghlal v.   Thailand, 14 June 2022
FW Sherzod Temirov (1998-10-27) 27 October 1998 (age 24) 1 0   Paykan v.   Thailand, 14 June 2022

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 recordsEdit

As of 28 March 2023[20]
Players in bold are still active with Uzbekistan.

Most capped playersEdit

 
Server Djeparov is Uzbekistan's most capped player with 128 appearances.
Rank Player Caps Goals First cap Last cap
1 Server Djeparov 128 25 14 May 2002 5 September 2017
2 Timur Kapadze 119 10 14 May 2002 22 January 2015
3 Odil Ahmedov 108 21 13 October 2007 15 June 2021
4 Ignatiy Nesterov 105 0 21 August 2002 21 January 2019
5 Anzur Ismailov 102 3 2 July 2007 5 September 2019
6 Alexander Geynrikh 97 31 14 May 2002 5 September 2017
7 Aziz Haydarov 85 1 2 July 2007 13 October 2018
8 Islom Tukhtakhodjaev 73 2 28 January 2009 15 June 2021
9 Vitaliy Denisov 72 1 22 February 2006 11 September 2018
10 Mirjalol Qosimov 67 31 17 June 1992 12 October 2005

Top goalscorersEdit

 
Maksim Shatskikh and Eldor Shomurodov are Uzbekistan's top scorers with 34 goals each.
 
Rank Player Goals Caps Average First cap Last cap
1 Maxim Shatskikh 34 61 0.56 18 August 1999 29 May 2014
Eldor Shomurodov 34 63 0.54 3 September 2015 28 March 2023
3 Mirjalol Qosimov 31 67 0.47 17 June 1992 12 October 2005
Alexander Geynrikh 31 97 0.33 14 May 2002 5 September 2017
5 Server Djeparov 25 128 0.2 14 May 2002 5 September 2017
6 Odil Ahmedov 21 108 0.19 13 October 2007 15 June 2021
7 Igor Shkvyrin 20 31 0.65 17 June 1992 17 October 2000
8 Igor Sergeev 17 66 0.26 10 September 2013 20 November 2022
9 Jafar Irismetov 15 36 0.42 25 May 1997 21 November 2007
10 Ulugbek Bakayev 14 52 0.27 25 April 2001 29 May 2014

Competitive recordEdit

FIFA World CupEdit

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 Did not enter Did not enter 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 26 2010
  2014 18 11 4 3 28 9 2014
  2018 18 11 1 6 26 14 2018
  2022 8 5 0 3 18 9 2022
      2026 To be determined To be determined 2026
Total — 0/7 – – – – – – — 102 54 18 30 195 133 —

AFC Asian CupEdit

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
  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 Group stage 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 Quarter-finals 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 Qualified 11 8 0 3 27 9 2023
Total Fourth place 7/7 28 13 4 11 42 47 — 47 33 5 9 112 39 —

Asian GamesEdit

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 —

Head-to-head recordEdit

Main article: Uzbekistan national football team records and statistics

As of 28 March 2023 after the match against   Venezuela.[21]

  Positive Record   Neutral Record   Negative Record

By confederationEdit

FIFA ranking historyEdit

See also: FIFA World Rankings
Rank Date
Best Rank 45 Nov. 2006 – Jan. 2007
Current Rank 77 December 2022
Worst Rank 119 November 1996
  • FIFA-ranking yearly averages for Uzbekistan (1994–2022)[22]
As of 22 December 2022

HonoursEdit

International titlesEdit

Continental titlesEdit

Friendly titlesEdit

See alsoEdit

ReferencesEdit

  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 22 December 2022. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
  2. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 30 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  3. ^ "Uzbekistan - Remembering the Miracle of 1994". Futbolgrad. 25 August 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  4. ^ "Uzbekistan and Bahrain to play it again". ESPN. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
  5. ^ "Uzbekistan 2–3 South Korea". Goal.com. 28 January 2011. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  6. ^ "www.espn.com/video/clip?id=20590948". espn.com. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  7. ^ "Cuper ready to power Uzbekistan". AFC. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
  8. ^ "2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Uzbekistan 1-0 Qatar - White Wolves pile further misery on the Maroons". Goal.com. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
  9. ^ "Uzbekistan Football Federation President Mirabror Usmanov Met With Junior White Wolves". Championat.asia. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
  10. ^ Minahan, James B. (23 December 2009). James Minahan. The Complete Guide to National Symbols and Emblems. ISBN 9780313344978. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
  11. ^ "Кубок Азии – 2019. Группа F. Сборная Узбекистана. Белые волки Турана". sports.ru. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
  12. ^ "Кубок Азии – 2019. Группа F. Сборная Узбекистана. Белые волки Турана". sports.ru. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
  13. ^ Marko Polo — National Encyclopedia of Uzbekistan, 2000–2005
  14. ^ "Кубок Азии – 2019. Группа F. Сборная Узбекистана. Белые волки Турана". sports.ru. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
  15. ^ Turon — National Encyclopedia of Uzbekistan, 2000–2005
  16. ^ Бартольд В. В. Работы по истории и филологии тюркских и монгольских народов / В. В. Бартольд; — Перепеч. с изд. 1968 г. — М. — ISBN 9785020183391 (в пер.)
  17. ^ "Swag. Хипстеры. Adidas. Модный показ сборной Узбекистана - Узбекская кухня - Блоги". Sports.ru. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  18. ^ "Терма жамоаларимизда либос масаласи". stadion.uz. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  19. ^ "National Team". Facebook. Uzbekistan Football Association.
  20. ^ Mamrud, Roberto. "Uzbekistan - Record International Players". RSSSF.
  21. ^ "World Football Elo Ratings: Uzbekistan".
  22. ^ "FIFA-ranking yearly averages for Uzbekistan". FIFA.com.

External linksEdit

 
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