Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — FIFA Futsal World Cup concluded yesterday with a thrilling final between Brazil and Argentina (2:1). This marked the first FIFA tournament held in Central Asia, and the infrastructure of Tashkent’s Humo Arena received high praise from FIFA officials.
Jaime Yarza, FIFA’s Director of Tournaments, highlighted the significance of the Futsal World Cup in Uzbekistan, calling it an extraordinary sporting event for both the global audience and the country itself. He emphasized that the championship offered a remarkable experience for teams and fans alike.
Kasra Hagigi, FIFA’s Director of Futsal and Beach Soccer Development, also lauded the infrastructure of Humo Arena, which hosted the decisive matches. He praised the Uzbek organizers for their exceptional work, noting that the facilities, volunteers, transportation, accommodations, and training grounds were all of the highest standard. Hagigi expressed particular admiration for Humo Arena, stating that from the very first visit, it was clear that the venue would meet and exceed FIFA’s requirements.
"The atmosphere and acoustics in Humo Arena were breathtaking, and the packed stands during the final were a testament to the event’s success," said Hagigi. FIFA officials noted the impressive turnout of over 120,000 spectators throughout the tournament, which they considered a strong achievement for futsal.
Timofey Smirnov, General Director of the investment and industrial group Enera, managing Humo Arena, expressed pride in hosting FIFA and reaffirmed the venue’s commitment to offering top-notch experiences for all visitors. Smirnov also mentioned plans to continue collaborating with FIFA, particularly in the development of youth sports in Uzbekistan.
