BERLIN, June 27. /Dunyo IA/.  German news portal “diplo.news” has characterized the qualification of the national team of Uzbekistan for the 2026 FIFA World Cup not only as a historic sporting milestone but also as a major diplomatic triumph for the country, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

Publication notes that Uzbekistan’s historic first-ever qualification for the world championship directly reflects the country's growing stature on the international arena and serves as a vivid testament to the strategic deployment of sports as an instrument of modern diplomacy.

Special emphasis within the article is placed on the joint match-viewing event organized in the gardens of the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Berlin. According to the publication's assessment, the gathering transcended the scope of a traditional football broadcast, serving instead as a dynamic platform to demonstrate the nation’s athletic achievements, its extensive potential in the realm of international cooperation and its commitment to further strengthening partnership relations with Germany.

Article further outlines the core talking points from the address delivered by the Ambassador of Uzbekistan Dilshod Akhatov. The diplomat recalled the recent official visit of the Federal President of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier, to Uzbekistan, which culminated in the adoption of a Joint Statement and the reaching of successive agreements aimed at expanding comprehensive bilateral cooperation.

According to the publication, the sides focused heavily on economic projects. Key initiatives include the development of sustainable urban infrastructure, the assembly of “Volkswagen” vehicles via completely knocked-down (CKD) or semi-knocked-down (SKD) kits, the establishment of a “Rhenus” logistics center in Andijan, production of household chemicals, the training of professional specialists for the railway industry, as well as the launching of certified testing and standardization centers.

Furthermore, the author highlighted the outcomes of the Tashkent International Investment Forum, noting that foreign investors' interest in Uzbekistan has expanded significantly in recent years.

Publication underscores that the debut of the national team of Uzbekistan at the World Cup has generated substantial interest among the German public and expert communities. According to the media outlet's assessment, this strategic combination of sports, culture and diplomacy effectively serves to strengthen the country's international image and global standing.