Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan, with its capital in Tashkent and a population of 36 million, is known for the Silk Road cities of Samarkand and Bukhara, with stunning tilework and Islamic architecture. Uzbekistan's Registan Square in Samarkand is considered one of the most beautiful public squares in the world, a centerpiece of the ancient Silk Road.

In football, the White Wolves are making their World Cup debut in 2026. They enter their first-ever World Cup with Eldor Shomurodov as their talisman under head coach Srecko Katanec. Uzbekistan have been Asia's nearly-men for two decades, finishing as runners-up in the AFC U-23 Championship and narrowly missing multiple World Cups — 2026 is their breakthrough.

SeatNav's Power Index rates Uzbekistan at 2.8 out of 10, ranking them #40 overall and classifying them as a determined underdog. In Group G, they face Spain, Colombia, Cape Verde in what has been categorized as a moderately challenging group (difficulty 5/10).

As World Cup debutants, Uzbekistan bring a fresh and unpredictable energy to the tournament. Their matches could be among the most compelling narratives of 2026 — football fans looking for underdog stories should keep a close eye on the White Wolves. Follow SeatNav for ticket updates as the tournament approaches.