Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Bakhodir Akhmedov has been appointed head coach of Uzbekistan's national futsal team, the Uzbekistan Futsal Association has announced.
His official presentation and a press conference will be held in Tashkent on 9 November. Under the agreement, Akhmedov will lead the team until the conclusion of the 2028 AFC Futsal Asian Cup.
Akhmedov replaces Spanish coach Jose Maria Pazos Mendes, known as Pulpis, who stepped down from the national team due to health problems.
Pulpis announced his departure in October 2026 in a letter to Bekzod Mamatkulov, president of the Uzbekistan Futsal Association. He said unexpected serious health problems had forced him to leave Uzbekistan earlier than stipulated in his contract. On doctors' advice, he will temporarily step away from professional sport and undergo treatment.
This is not Akhmedov's first experience with the national team. Under his leadership, Uzbekistan won two bronze medals at the AFC Futsal Asian Cup. At the 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Lithuania, the team advanced from the group stage and reached the round of 16.
Bakhodir Akhmedov was born on 9 September 1976 in Chirchiq, Tashkent region. He began his playing career with Chirchiq-based clubs Splayv, Elektrohimprоm and Soliqchi. He later won national championships with Yunusabad, Ardus and Stroitel Zarafshan. As a coach, he led Maksam-Chirchiq to a place among the medal winners of the national championship and won the Uzbekistan championship with Jizzakh-Kentex.
The national team is currently holding a training camp in Tashkent as part of the FIFA international calendar.
As part of their preparations, the team will play two friendly matches against Tajikistan. The first match will take place behind closed doors on 8 November at the National Teams Centre. The second is scheduled for 10 November at the Yunusabad Sports Complex, with kick-off at 6 p.m. Admission will be free.
