BERLIN, January 14. /Dunyo IA/.  Eldor Shomurodov, captain of the Uzbekistan national football team, spoke exclusively to FIFA about the team’s preparations for the 2026 World Cup and outlined plans for the future, highlighting the growing international attention on Uzbek sport, reports Dunyo IA correspondents.

The striker emphasized that in recent years, the attitude toward sports in Uzbekistan and football in particular, has undergone a remarkable transformation.

-I remember as a child how fans would worry whenever our national team failed to qualify for the World Cup. Today, the situation is entirely different. Thanks to the President’s attention to sports and the supportive infrastructure that has been created, fans’ confidence in our team has grown. Our players have started performing in some of Europe’s strongest clubs, - Shomurodov highlighted.

According to Eldor Shomurodov, the 2026 World Cup holds special significance for Uzbekistan. Hailing from the southern Surkhandarya region, he has become not only the national team’s leading scorer but also a symbol of footballing success for the entire region. His successful career in Russia, Italy, and Turkey demonstrates the competitiveness of Uzbek footballers on the global stage.

Uzbekistan has been drawn into Group K, alongside footballing powerhouses Portugal and Colombia. The national team captain stressed that the squad does not fear its opponents and views the tournament as an opportunity to showcase the strength of Uzbek football to the world.

-Our goal is to advance from the group stage. We want to uphold our country’s honour and prove that Uzbekistan is a strong team. Some may see us as underdogs, but our aim is to surprise everyone in a positive way, - the striker stated.

Shomurodov also emphasized that the support of fans from across the region adds both responsibility and motivation to the team, driving them to perform at their highest level on football’s global stage.

-Our participation in the World Cup brings joy not only to Uzbek fans but also to football supporters across Central Asia. If we perform well, Uzbek football will attract new followers around the world, - Shomurodov added.

FIFA has highlighted that Uzbekistan’s national team has the potential to offer a strong challenge to squads featuring world-renowned players such as Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodríguez, who have previously played for one of the world’s leading clubs, Real Madrid.

Currently, Eldor Shomurodov plays for the Istanbul-based club “Başakşehir”, where he has scored 12 goals in 17 matches, leading the team’s scoring charts. Alongside emerging talents such as Abdukodir Khusanov and Abbos Fayzullaev, Shomurodov is poised to open a new chapter in Uzbek football on the fields of North America.