World Cup dream within reach as Uzbekistan faces UAE today

On June 5, the Uzbekistan national football team will face the United Arab Emirates as part of the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

The match will kick off at 21:00 Tashkent time at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

“Today could be a historic day for Uzbek sports. Any points gained in the upcoming match could bring us closer to a long-awaited spot at the World Cup,” stated the National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan.

After eight matches, Uzbekistan sits in second place in its group with 17 points. Iran leads with 20 points, while the UAE is third with 13 points. With two rounds remaining, Uzbekistan holds a 4-point advantage over the UAE.

A win or a draw would guarantee Uzbekistan second place in the group and direct qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. A loss, however, would narrow the gap to just one point and leave qualification to be decided in the final match.