Uzbekistan Boosts World Cup 2026 Chances with Victory Against UAE
Uzbekistan’s National Football Team Sees Rise in Chances of Qualifying for 2026 FIFA World Cup
After a crucial victory over the United Arab Emirates in the fourth round of the Asian qualifiers, Uzbekistan’s national football team has seen a significant increase in its chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. According to updated projections from the We Global Football portal, the team now has a 93.1% probability of securing a direct spot in the tournament, which is set to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
This rise of more than 10% in probability comes following Uzbekistan’s hard-fought 1-0 win over the UAE, placing them fourth among the top contenders for direct qualification from Asia, behind Japan, Iran, and South Korea. Prior to this crucial match, the team’s chances stood at 82.8%.
In previous rounds, Uzbekistan’s draw against Iran (0-0) in the third round pushed its qualification probability from 75.9% to 82.8%. Similarly, their victory over Kyrgyzstan (3-2) in the second round had raised their chances from 70.3% to 75.9%, reducing the possibility of failing to qualify to just 0.4%.
The latest rankings show Iran topping Group A with a 99.6% chance of direct qualification, followed by Japan, South Korea, and Uzbekistan. Iran’s chances improved by 1.5% after their 4-1 victory over Qatar in the fourth round.
On the other hand, Qatar, Uzbekistan’s upcoming opponent in the fifth round, saw a decrease in their chances after their defeat against Iran, dropping them out of the top 10 contenders for World Cup qualification in Asia.
Looking ahead, Uzbekistan’s upcoming matches against Qatar in Doha on November 14 and North Korea in Laos on November 19 will be crucial. Head coach Srečko Katanec, currently undergoing treatment, is expected to lead the team for these decisive matches.
With Asia being allocated 8.5 spots for the 2026 World Cup, the top two teams from each group will secure direct qualification, while those finishing third and fourth will compete in play-offs for the remaining 2.5 spots.
Currently tied at the top of Group A with Iran, each with 10 points, Uzbekistan will aim to continue their strong performance and secure their spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across 16 cities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
