President Attends Uzbekistan Team World Cup Send-Off

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in the ceremony sending off the country’s national football team to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

At the beginning of the event, the players of the national team lined up on the stadium field. The head of state congratulated football fans, athletes, coaching staff, and representatives of the sporting community on the major football celebration.

The president noted that the day of the team’s send-off to the World Cup marked another historic event for Uzbek football. He stressed that the national team was heading to the global tournament, which will be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, with great hopes and the support of the nation.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev said the footballers had given the country unforgettable moments and expressed gratitude to the players, their parents, mentors, coaches, and all members of the national team.

Special attention was paid to the support of fans. The president thanked football supporters who remained alongside the team both during victories and difficult periods. During the ceremony, the role of fan clubs was also highlighted, with the head of state describing them as the national team’s “12th player.”

The president noted that football had become a true companion for every family in the country, while attention to the development of sports and football infrastructure in recent years was creating a solid foundation for new achievements by young people.

In this regard, he mentioned the construction of major sports facilities in the regions, the establishment of professional football academies, and the launch of the National Football Center. He also noted the completion of the Olympic Village in Tashkent and the construction in New Tashkent of a 55,000-seat stadium meeting FIFA standards.

Addressing the footballers, the head of state stressed that the team faced upcoming matches against Portugal, Colombia, and Congo, and called on the players to take to the field with full dedication and confidence.

The ceremony concluded with the national anthem of Uzbekistan. The president posed for photographs with members of the national team, after which a concert program and the team’s exhibition match took place.