TASHKENT, June 18. /Dunyo IA/.  Today, the national football team of Uzbekistan played its historic first match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 against the national team of Colombia, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

On the occasion of our national team's historic debut at the world championship, the diplomatic missions and consular offices of Uzbekistan abroad organized collective viewings of the match, bringing together compatriots, representatives of the diplomatic corps, and foreign football fans.

In Dushanbe, approximately 120 people, including members of the football community, media representatives, and the diplomatic corps, attended the match viewing organized by the Embassy of Uzbekistan. A symbolic highlight of the event was the illumination of the State Flag of Uzbekistan projected onto the facade of the “Crowne Plaza” Hotel.

In Ashgabat, the event was organized upon the initiative of the Embassy of Uzbekistan with the assistance of the Turkmen side. The match viewing took place at the “Tashkent” restaurant, gathering representatives of the diplomatic corps, the Uzbek diaspora, and members of the Turkmen public.

In Vladivostok, the General Consultate of Uzbekistan organized a viewing of the match with the participation of compatriots, students, and representatives of the diplomatic corps. Within the framework of the event, promotional materials showcasing the tourism potential of the country and the 5^th Tashkent International Investment Forum were also presented.

In Saint Petersburg, as well as in Petrozavodsk and Kaliningrad, collective viewings were held upon the initiative of the General Consulate of Uzbekistan, bringing together compatriots and students studying in the Northwestern Federal District of Russia. The events commenced with the performance of the National Anthem of Uzbekistan and took place in an atmosphere of unity and strong support for the national team. The gatherings received additional coverage from correspondents of the Russian federal sports television channel “Match TV.”

In Shanghai, a collective viewing of the match was organized at the General Consulate. The event was attended by students from the city's leading universities, as well as citizens of Uzbekistan residing in China for business and official assignments. A warm and informal atmosphere was created for the guests, fostering lively communication and strengthening ties among compatriots. The participants particularly emphasized the significance of such initiatives, which unite the diaspora, support the national team, and preserve a sense of solidarity and national pride far from the Homeland.

In Seoul, Embassy of Uzbekistan organized a collective viewing of the match, which brought together more than 200 compatriots and representatives of the Uzbek diaspora. The Ambassador of Uzbekistan, Alisher Abdusalomov, delivered a welcoming address, emphasizing the vital importance of consolidating compatriots abroad. The event was also attended by representatives of the diplomatic missions of Central Asian countries, which lent an atmosphere of regional solidarity to the gathering. The event received media coverage from one of South Korea's highly reputable news outlets, “AJU Press”.

In Tokyo, upon the initiative of the Embassy of Uzbekistan, a collective broadcast of the match was organized in coordination with compatriots and with the assistance of the Turkish Cultural Center. The event was attended by the ambassadors of Central Asian nations and Azerbaijan, as well as representatives of the media, academic circles, and students. The participants underscored the historic significance of Uzbekistan’s participation in the World Cup, expressed their staunch support for the national team, and voiced firm confidence in its future successes.

In Kuwait, upon the initiative of the Embassy of Uzbekistan, a gathering of compatriots working in the country was organized on the premises of the “Limak Inşaat” company. The participants watched the match together, expressed their support for the national team, and highlighted the significance of its participation in the world championship, wishing the team success in its upcoming games.

In Islamabad, at the Embassy of Uzbekistan, the heads of diplomatic missions of the CIS countries in Pakistan jointly watched the national team's match against the Colombian team. The diplomats expressed their support for the Uzbek team, noting its competitive spirit and the historic significance of its participation in the World Cup, and extended their wishes for continued success.