Uzbekistan National Football Team Returns Home After Historic FIFA World Cup Campaign

Uzbekistan's national football team, which has concluded its campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, has returned home, the Dunyo News Agency reports.

The players received a ceremonial welcome at Tashkent International Airport, where they were greeted by representatives of state and public organisations, officials of the Uzbekistan Football Association, sports veterans, members of the media and hundreds of supporters. Fans carrying national flags and banners expressed their sincere appreciation and gratitude to the team.

Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov noted that, at the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan, comprehensive reforms have been consistently implemented to promote the development of sport, particularly football.

It was emphasised that Uzbekistan's historic qualification for the FIFA World Cup finals and participation in the tournament marked one of the most significant milestones in the country's sporting history. The achievement was described as the result of the steady development of national football, increased investment in youth football and the years of dedication shown by coaches and players.

Speakers also stressed that although Uzbekistan finished at the bottom of its group, competing against some of the world's strongest national teams provided invaluable experience for the players. Participation in the tournament is expected to strengthen the team's international competitiveness, enhance the players' technical abilities and further develop their mental resilience.

Captain Eldor Shomurodov, whose goal was selected by FIFA as the best goal of the 2026 World Cup group stage, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to supporters across the country for their unwavering encouragement and trust.

"We did our utmost to represent our country with dignity in every match. We fully understand that the result was not what our supporters had hoped for, and we sincerely apologise for that. At the same time, competing at the FIFA World Cup has been an extraordinary learning experience for us. We will draw the right conclusions from our mistakes and work even harder to return stronger in the future," the captain said.

The event concluded with a concert featuring popular performers. Patriotic songs and musical performances created a festive and celebratory atmosphere.