Construction of 55,000-Seat Stadium Launched in New Tashkent

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 11 November 2025, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a modern football stadium in New Tashkent.

The past five years have been transformative for Uzbek football. The national championship system has been reformed, youth academies established, and across the regions there are now 75 large stadiums and 302 mini-stadiums. Whereas in 2017 only three fields met FIFA and Asian Football Confederation standards, today more than ten do. In Yukorichirchik district, a modern National Football Center was recently completed, and over 65,000 young athletes train in specialized schools under the guidance of coaches and sports medicine experts from leading international clubs.

A structured player selection system has been created starting from the mahalla level, with mini-fields established in 70 percent of communities. Some 1,500 school stadiums have been renovated, engaging over one million schoolchildren and young people in football. Tournaments at the neighborhood, district, regional, and national levels have become traditional events.

The President emphasized that these measures are already yielding results: for the first time, the country’s Olympic team competed at the Paris Olympics, the national team secured qualification for the next World Cup, and Uzbekistan’s under-17 team is representing the nation as the Asian champions in Qatar. Today, twenty Uzbek players compete in prestigious foreign clubs, with a combined transfer value exceeding $60 million. Special attention was given to Abdulkodir Khusanov, who became Asia’s most expensive footballer, highlighting the international recognition of Uzbekistan’s football school.

President Mirziyoyev also recalled that during his recent visit, FIFA President Gianni Infantino highly praised Uzbekistan’s focus on football development, the infrastructure created, governance reforms, and overall transformation of the sport in the country. The international football community regards Uzbekistan with respect, and the country is now considered one of Asia’s football powerhouses. On 2 October, the FIFA Council approved Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan as hosts of the 2027 U-20 World Cup. In each country, matches will be held at three stadiums, with the semifinals and final played at a venue with a capacity exceeding 50,000 spectators, meeting FIFA standards.

The new stadium in New Tashkent, with an investment of US$100 million, will be a key project for the development of football in Uzbekistan. The design combines modern architecture with national values, emphasizing environmental sustainability, smart management, and a comfortable urban environment. The facility will be integrated into the natural landscape and constructed according to “green energy” principles, incorporating advanced management technologies and spectator amenities.

Fully compliant with FIFA requirements, the stadium will be one of the largest and most technologically advanced football venues in Asia. It will host the 2027 U-20 World Cup and serve as a long-term driver for the development of Uzbek football and youth sports. Hosting a world championship underscores the international community’s trust and high regard for Uzbekistan. A dedicated state program will be developed in preparation for the tournament, covering infrastructure, transportation, hospitality, healthcare, and volunteer engagement.

“The foundation we lay today for the New Tashkent stadium is the basis of our victories tomorrow. I am confident this stadium will inspire our youth, become a symbol of national pride, and a great gift to millions of fans,” the President said.

The ceremony concluded with President Mirziyoyev placing a capsule in the foundation and officially launching construction of the stadium.