Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is a landlocked nation in Central Asia with a population of approximately 36 million, bordered by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan. In 2026, Uzbekistan qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in the country's history, doing so via the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) pathway in the first 48-team edition. They are one of four nations making their World Cup debut at the tournament. On 18 May 2026, Uzbekistan finalised their debutant 26-man squad, alongside Cape Verde and Curaçao.

Uzbekistan has a long history of Soviet-era football infrastructure and a strong domestic league. The national team has been a consistent presence in AFC qualification campaigns, often reaching the final rounds before falling short. The Uzbekistan Super League has produced players who compete across Asia and in European lower leagues, and the country has invested significantly in youth academies over the past decade.

The historic qualification carries an immigration shadow for Uzbekistan's supporters. Uzbekistan is among the nations whose fans face heightened US immigration scrutiny in the partially-restricted category — still eligible for tourist visas but subject to additional checks. The US State Department confirmed on 7 April 2026 that it 'does not have any estimates' for how these restrictions will affect World Cup attendance, meaning the impact on Uzbek supporters making a once-in-a-generation journey to their team's debut tournament has not been modelled.