Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan has grown into Central Asia's premier footballing nation, built on a strong domestic academy system and increasing exposure to Asia's top competitions. The White Wolves play a physical, well-organized style and have steadily climbed the continental rankings over the past decade. The program capped years of progress by qualifying for its first-ever World Cup for 2026, a landmark moment for the country.

Football in Uzbekistan dates back to the Soviet era, with the federation reconstituted after independence and formally joining FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation in 1994. Uzbekistan has never won the AFC Asian Cup, though it has reached the semifinals on multiple occasions and is a regular at youth and Olympic level. The team's 2025 qualification for its first World Cup marked the biggest milestone in the program's history.