Husanov Leads the Way: Uzbek Footballers Are Set to Conquer Europe!

The prestigious outlet The Athletic recently published insights shared by Belgian expert Guy Kiala, currently serving as the Technical Director of the Uzbekistan Football Association. He credits the country’s national reforms as the key behind Uzbekistan's historic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

"One thing I immediately noticed," said Kiala, "was that there was a lack of true hunger to win — both in players and coaches. The style was overly defensive, with an inferiority complex toward opponents. We needed to shift that mindset."

According to Kiala, introducing a more aggressive and organized attacking philosophy became the team’s new mission. Their motto?

“The desire to win must always outweigh the fear of losing.”

Thanks to this approach, Uzbek players have gained self-confidence and started displaying results on the international stage.

Kiala also emphasizes Uzbekistan’s massive potential in football:

• A young football nation, with the federation founded only after the 1991 Soviet breakup
• A population of 38 million
• A vast territory where football is the #1 sport
• A growing pool of raw talent still relatively untapped by global clubs

 European Breakthrough

He proudly highlighted Abduqodir Husanov, who now plays for Manchester City, as the beginning of a new era.

“I’m confident that many more Uzbek players will soon follow suit and move to Europe,” said Kiala. “Previously, scouts focused on Africa, South America, and selected Asian countries, skipping Uzbekistan. That is going to change.”

 Milestone Achievements

• Uzbekistan becomes the first Central Asian team to qualify for a FIFA World Cup final stage
• Uzbeks consistently shine in youth tournaments across Asia and at global championships
• In 2023, the U23 team reached the AFC Cup final, securing a ticket to the Paris Olympics 2024

Now, the long-standing dream of seeing Uzbek footballers on the World Cup stage is finally a reality.

The future is bright for Uzbek football – and Europe is watching.