On Thursday morning, before the start of the working day, millions of people across Uzbekistan are expected to gather around giant screens, TV sets and smartphones to watch a football match unlike any other in the country’s history.
Uzbekistan’s national team is set to face Colombia in its 2026 FIFA World Cup opener at 7 am local time, prompting growing anticipation across the country as communities organise ways to watch together.
Schools, parks and public spaces are being transformed into viewing areas, while large screens are being installed in hundreds of locations ahead of kick-off.
A total of 208 schools have been selected to host public screenings, welcoming students, parents, teachers and local residents.
In Tashkent, fan zones have been established across all 12 districts of the capital, including a large viewing venue at Bunyodkor Stadium with a capacity for up to 10,000 spectators.
‘A matter of pride and honour’
Officials say the aim is to allow as many people as possible to follow the match as part of a shared national experience.
“In the heart of every Uzbek, this is a matter of pride and honour,” representative of the Ministry of Education Bahrom Aminov told Euronews.
“Teachers, students and local residents can all come freely and watch on large screens. There is a special joy in expressing those feelings out loud, standing among your friends and sharing in their happiness together,” Aminov said.
The preparations extend beyond dedicated fan zones: across cities and towns, the national team’s colours have become increasingly visible in shops, cafés and public spaces.
Flags, team merchandise and images of the white wolf Bek, the official mascot of the Uzbekistan squad, have appeared throughout the country as supporters count down to kick-off.
Football before work
Among those preparing for Thursday morning is Malik Karimov, Chief Marketing Officer at Korzinka and an official partner of the Uzbekistan Football Association.
Karimov told Euronews that many businesses are planning to watch the match together before employees begin their workday.
“As the leading food retailer, we couldn’t stand aside,” he said. “The benefit of being an official partner of the Uzbekistan Football Association is that we are present nationwide, so we engage with local communities.”
“We produced and started selling the official merchandise so every kid and every person in the regions can support our national team.”
Karimov expects football to dominate conversations across the country on match day.
“It’s a huge achievement,” he said. “I think it will have a huge impact on kids and on the young population going into football. We do hope that we will be going to the World Cup annually.”
Staff from Karimov’s own company plan to gather at 7 am to watch the match together.
“I know the same thing is happening in many organisations,” he said. “People are gathering together, even though it is early morning, to watch and support our national team.”
Support spreading across the region
The anticipation is not limited to Uzbekistan.
Across Central Asia, content creators and football fans have been posting messages of encouragement on social media, backing the first team from the region to appear at a World Cup.
“It has united the whole country, from seven years to 70,” one supporter told Euronews.
Another fan described qualification as an achievement in itself, saying the country’s participation had already given supporters a moment they would remember for years.
Uzbekistan is part of Group K alongside Colombia, Portugal and DR Congo.
The team is coached by former Italy captain and 2006 World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro, who was appointed by the Uzbekistan Football Association in October 2025, ahead of the country’s World Cup debut.
For supporters, progression from the group would be a remarkable achievement. But many fans say simply seeing Uzbekistan compete at a World Cup is already a milestone in itself.
“Just qualifying is itself a great achievement,” one supporter said. “This is our first time. My first wish is that we make it through the group stage.”