President Mirziyoyev meets national football team ahead of historic World Cup debut

During his address, the president stressed the deep emotional significance of the achievement for the entire country. He noted that the nation and its football fans had been waiting 34 years for this milestone, describing the players as contemporary heroes who have opened a brand-new chapter in the history of Uzbek sports. President Mirziyoyev shared that his excitement kept him awake the night qualification was secured, echoing the immense pride felt by citizens nationwide. He expressed his gratitude to the athletes for their courage and skill, as well as to their parents, mentors, and coaches.

The president emphasized that the team’s success goes beyond sports, inspiring artists to compose new anthems and poems, while enabling local businesses to promote Uzbek brands on the global stage. He pointed out that the players have become true role models for the youth, sparking a massive wave of children dreaming of becoming professional football players.

This breakthrough follows extensive state investments in sports infrastructure. In recent years, Uzbekistan has launched over 200 major sports facilities, nearly 4,000 private sports clubs, and over 1,500 neighborhood sports fields. Key infrastructure developments include the modern Olympic Village in the capital and the National Football Center in Yuqori Chirchiq, alongside specialized professional football academies established in every region. These systemic changes have eliminated corruption and favoritism, creating a transparent environment where genuine talent can thrive. As a result, the number of amateur players has reached 5 million, regular participants exceed 1.3 million, and registered professional players have grown to 17,000.

Building on this momentum, the government is launching the "Every neighborhood – football field" program, transforming grassroots football into a nationwide movement. This initiative will introduce the Mahalla League for boys and girls aged 12–17, creating structured tournament tiers from the local level up to the national finals. The league will serve as a primary scouting database for professional clubs to identify young talent.

The national team’s preparation is being guided by a highly experienced coaching staff led by Fabio Cannavaro. The Italian football legend famously captained his country to a World Cup victory in Germany in 2006, the same year he won the Ballon d'Or. Cannavaro has assembled an international team of specialists for Uzbekistan, bringing in specialized fitness and striking coaches, medical professionals, nutritionists, and chefs to ensure optimal preparation. President Mirziyoyev welcomed Cannavaro and wished the management team success in what will be the Italian's first World Cup appearance as a coach.

Concluding his speech, President Mirziyoyev urged the players to compete without unnecessary pressure when they face elite global teams like Portugal, Colombia, and the Republic of the Congo. He reminded them that they have already secured their place in history and called on them to fight for every ball and every inch of the pitch. The president assured the team that they would have passionate support in the stadiums from traveling fan clubs and the Uzbek diaspora in North America, while nearly 40 million citizens back home would be cheering them on from behind their screens.