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World Cup

Uzbekistan Signs Fabio Cannavaro as Coach Ahead of World Cup

Fabio Cannavaro has signed a contract with the Uzbekistan Football Association to coach the national team, which qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time in the country’s 34 years of independence. “The Italian coach will prepare our team for the World Cup to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico,” the association said after the contract was signed on Monday at Uzbekistan’s National Football Center. It said Cannavaro had the experience and skills to deliver success for Uzbekistan, describing him as “a three-time World Cup participant, 2006 World Cup winner, one of the best defenders of the recent past, and a renowned expert.” “We have seen that a defensive playing style brings results,” Ravshan Irmatov, the association’s first vice president, said at a news conference. “We believe that with his international experience, professional culture, and tactical strictness, he will bring new spirit and a new system to our national team.” At the news conference, Cannavaro said he was thankful for the trust shown in him and outlined some plans to help Uzbekistan’s national team get comfortable with the pace and demands of the World Cup level. “The intensity of the Super League needs to be increased; we will discuss this with the management. The more we move at a high tempo during the game, the better the results will start to be. Players' recovery is also very important. We would also ask the coaches at clubs to send daily, weekly, or monthly performance data of the players so that we can know whether their results are improving or not,” Cannavaro said. “I had offers from 7-8 places. First of all, the fact that the team qualified for the World Cup and the seriousness of the project here encouraged me to accept the offer. Is it difficult to play at the World Cup? Yes, very difficult, but we will try,” he said. Cannavaro replaces Timur Kapadze, an Uzbekistani former pro football player who led the national team to its first-ever qualification for the World Cup with a 0-0 draw against the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi in June. Cannavaro said he had discussed the team with his predecessor, noting that having “local specialists” on the staff will help him learn about the players’ mentality and the culture of Uzbekistan. To that end, Kapadze will remain for now as an assistant coach. The Uzbekistan Football Association said the coaching staff that will help Cannavaro includes assistant coach Eugenio Albarella, who has worked with Japan’s national team as well as Juventus, Udinese, and Dinamo Zagreb; fitness coach Francesco Troise, who has collaborated with Benevento, Udinese, and Dinamo Zagreb; and goalkeepers coach Antonio Kimienti, who has experience with Italy’s national youth team, and the Sampdoria and SPAL clubs.

Culture

Touching Fairy Tales: In Ust-Kamenogorsk, Books Are Knitted, Sewn, and Brought to Life

At the A.S. Pushkin Library in Ust-Kamenogorsk, East Kazakhstan region, reading has become a tactile adventure. Here, books aren’t just read, they’re knitted, sewn, and handcrafted. Librarians have discovered a magical way to ignite children’s interest in reading: through tactile books that can be touched, flipped through, and even assembled. “The main thing is to find an approach to each child. Even if they haven’t been encouraged to read at home, we can change that in the library,” says Dinara Mergenbayeva, head of the Center for Knowledge. The idea was born from a desire to make books more relatable. “Who says children don’t read? They do, and with great curiosity! They just need something new, lively, and emotional,” she explains. Knitted Books and Soft Stories The library’s first knitted book was a Kazakh-language version of the alphabet primer Әліппе, inspired by Kulmay Sembayeva’s Aripler aleminde (“In the World of Letters”). Each letter is paired with a poem and a small, crocheted animal or object, which children can pull from pockets and explore. “For example, the letter A, next to it are an akhu (swan) and an ayu (bear). We knitted and cut out all the figures ourselves. The materials came from our homes. Even the cover was made from my old suede boots, they’ve found a second life now,” one librarian shares. Another handcrafted creation is Pushkin’s The Tale of the Fisherman and the Fish. In this interactive version, characters can be moved around, allowing children to change the course of the story. Kids act out scenes, invent new endings, and immerse themselves more deeply in the narrative. [caption id="attachment_37026" align="aligncenter" width="355"] @Yulia Chernyavskaya[/caption] There’s even a trilingual crocheted edition of Abai’s The Seasons, in Kazakh, Russian, and English. Its pages include trees, snowflakes, flowers, and ladybugs, all detachable and fastened with buttons. Children can “switch” winter to spring, collect leaves, or “scatter” snow, transforming play into reading. “This helps develop fine motor skills, imagination, and a love of books. The key is to keep it interesting,” notes Mergenbayeva. Books You Won’t Find Anywhere Else Each tactile book is handmade, with production times ranging from three weeks to six months. The entire library staff is involved, from brainstorming to material selection and testing books with children. Special editions are created for older students, including a large-format album commemorating Abai’s 175th anniversary, with sections titled “Abai the Writer,” “Abai the Philosopher,” and “Abai the Musician.” “If a child remembers even one illustration, that’s a success. A book should leave an impression, visual, emotional, any kind,” says a librarian. Each edition includes a QR code linking to a digital version in the library’s electronic collection. When Children Bring Their Parents At Pushkin Library, reading is a family affair. Every Saturday features shared reading sessions, reinforcing the tradition of reading together. “The youngest children come with their parents, and later they’re the ones dragging them back. Kids literally pull their moms and dads to the library,” Mergenbayeva smiles. For teenagers, there’s the Literary...

Sports

Uzbekistan to Co-Host FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2027 with Azerbaijan

It’s been a big year for Uzbekistan’s football ambitions. In June, the national team qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, securing a 0-0 draw against the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi that was enough to propel Uzbekistan into the main draw. It is the first time that Uzbekistan, which has built up its sports infrastructure over the years, has qualified in the country’s 34 years of independence. Now Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan are celebrating their joint appointment as host nations for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2027. The announcement was made on Thursday at a meeting of the FIFA Council in Zurich, Switzerland. “Great News!” the Uzbekistan Football Association said. “This competition is considered the second most significant men’s national team tournament organised by FIFA, after the FIFA World Cup itself,” said the association, adding that Uzbekistan had gained hosting experience in recent years by staging some big international football events. Last year, Uzbekistan hosted the FIFA Futsal World Cup, a fast-paced variation of football that is played indoors. Some 52 matches were played during the contest. The cities of Tashkent, Andijan and Bukhara hosted games and tournament organizers received generally positive reviews. FIFA, football’s governing body, has been helping the Central Asian country to modernize its football facilities by funding pitch construction, floodlight installation and the renovation of a stadium. Azerbaijan, in the South Caucasus region, is also delighted with the prospect of co-hosting the FIFA event in 2027, describing it as a showcase for its good relations with Uzbekistan. The decision “is a clear indication of the friendly relations between the heads of state, the policies aimed at the welfare and development of the countries, as well the special attention and care shown to sports in both countries,” said Rovshan Najaf, president of the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan. The two nations have worked to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties, agreeing this year to a goal of boosting bilateral trade and investment to $1 billion annually by 2030. The FIFA U-20 World Cup is held every two years. Argentina hosted it in 2023 and this year’s tournament is currently underway in Chile.

Architecture

Almaty’s “Tselinny” Cultural Center Featured on Cover of Architectural Record

Kazakhstan’s architectural and cultural landscape has gained rare international recognition: Almaty’s Center for Contemporary Culture “Tselinny” has been featured on the cover of Architectural Record, the world’s oldest architectural magazine, published in the United States since 1891. International Recognition In its latest issue, journalist Andrew Ayers, who visited Almaty for Tselinny’s opening, described the project as “a new face for a former Soviet cinema” and “a gesture of reinterpreting Kazakhstan’s colonial past.” The article emphasized that the design team prioritized local context, with all work carried out by Kazakhstani contractors and interior contributions from young Almaty-based architects. [caption id="attachment_36890" align="aligncenter" width="351"] @Laurian Ghinițoiu[/caption] “Unlike many new museums, the architecture of the center sought to remain rooted in the local context,” the piece noted. Beyond its architectural merits, Architectural Record highlighted Tselinny’s institutional role, describing it as a platform for bolstering Kazakhstan’s still “fragile contemporary art scene.” The cover photograph was taken by Romanian photographer Laurian Ghinitoiu, renowned for his documentation of global architectural landmarks. History of the Building The center officially reopened in September 2025 following a seven-year reconstruction process that weathered both the COVID-19 pandemic and the legal troubles of its principal investor, businessman Kairat Boranbayev. Originally built in 1964 as the Tselinny cinema, the building underwent several renovations during the 1990s and early 2000s. A major overhaul in 2000 saw the main cinema hall divided, the foyer reconfigured, and a celebrated sgraffito mural by artist Yevgeny Sidorkin concealed behind plasterboard. [caption id="attachment_36892" align="aligncenter" width="353"] @Laurian Ghinițoiu[/caption] Boranbayev acquired the building in 2016. Four years later, a comprehensive reconstruction led by British architect Asif Khan began. The project restored the foyer’s original dimensions, revealed Sidorkin’s mural, though now in subdued tones, and transformed the cinema hall into a flexible space for exhibitions and screenings. Today, Tselinny includes a library, café, and workshop spaces. Notably, the reopening ceremony was led by Amantai Kusainbay, who has worked at the site since 1999 and continues to manage its daily operations.

Education

Teacher’s Assault on Student Sparks Debate on School Violence in Tajikistan

An alleged case of school violence in Tajikistan has reignited public concern after an 11th-grade student accused a teacher of assault in the southern city of Levakant. The incident, which has generated conflicting accounts from authorities and the student’s family, is now under investigation by law enforcement. Conflicting Accounts The case surfaced on September 30, when a video circulated on social media showing the student unconscious. Radio Ozodi reported that the boy had received “a strong blow to the back of the head from his teacher.” According to the student, Mehmed Bozorov, the incident occurred on September 6 at School No. 4 in the village of Bohturobod. He said he had stepped out during a break to borrow a pen and was struck by the teacher upon returning. Bozorov claims he lost consciousness and was hospitalized for 15 days. The Levakant Education Department offered a different version of events. It stated that Bozorov had shown disrespect toward the teacher, who “lost his temper and slapped him.” Officials said the student did not suffer serious injuries. Hospitalization and Family Response Bozorov’s uncle, Jamol Bozorov, a medical professional, was called to the school after the student complained of feeling unwell. The boy collapsed shortly afterward. His uncle recorded the incident and later shared the footage with local media. Bozorov was admitted to the central hospital in Levakant. A private lab, Aksi Shifo, found no signs of serious trauma, but his mother insisted on continued treatment. He remained hospitalized for 13 days. The Education Department stated that the teacher covered all medical costs. Bozorov has since returned to school. Official Response The Ministry of Education and Science of Tajikistan has met with both parties involved. “Farhod Nazarov is a young teacher; he should not have resorted to violence, but the student also showed disrespect. Responsibility lies with both,” the ministry said in a statement. Law enforcement is conducting a preliminary investigation. The student and his family have not commented on the ministry’s statement. A Broader Issue Violence in Tajik schools is not uncommon. Last year alone, three separate incidents involving physical altercations between teachers and students were reported, in the town of Bokhtar and twice in Khovaling district. Following previous complaints about bullying, Tajik authorities introduced a methodological guide aimed at helping teachers prevent bullying and cyberbullying. However, the Levakant case underscores that school violence remains a persistent and unresolved issue.

Education

Uzbek Authorities Investigate Mass Food Poisoning at Some Kindergartens

Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Health says almost all children who were hospitalized after suffering food poisoning at several state kindergartens in the Tashkent region have recovered and are back with their families. Hundreds of children had been affected by the preschool health crisis, which prompted an emergency response from medical institutions when the first cases of fever, nausea and diarrhea were reported a week ago. Lab workers conducted tests on outsourced food being served at the kindergartens. Prosecutors opened a criminal case and an investigation is underway. Media outlet UzDaily.com reported that authorities had arrested seven people, including executives of food companies that supplied the kindergartens. It said children got sick with gastroentiritis at schools in seven districts across the Tashkent region. Estimates of the number of affected children varied, with some reports saying more than 1,000 received medical treatment. Nurmat Atabekov, first deputy chairman of the ministry’s sanitary-epidemiological welfare and public health committee, said on Tuesday that three children remain under medical supervision because of other diseases but are in stable condition and expected to return home in the coming days. Authorities will tighten control of food catering for all educational institutions in Uzbekistan, according to Atabekov. “In cooperation with law enforcement agencies and the Ministry of Health, all details of the incident are being thoroughly investigated,” the Ministry of Preschool and School Education said. “If deficiencies are found, the relevant contracts will be reviewed or canceled.” The kindergartens where children fell ill plan to reopen on Thursday.