Uzbekistan - The Times Of Central Asia

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Sports

Opinion: What Uzbekistan’s FIFA World Cup Breakthrough Tells Us About State-Building

When Uzbekistan's goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov made those crucial saves against the UAE last night, securing his country's first-ever FIFA World Cup qualification, he was putting the finishing touches to a decade-long story about how nations build capacity, and what happens when they finally get it right. Uzbekistan's journey to the 2026 World Cup is not just a sports story. Go deeper, and you'll find something more interesting: a case study in institutional development. The Numbers Don't Lie Consider what Uzbekistan has pulled off in recent years. At Rio 2016, the country won 13 Olympic medals, placing 21st globally. In Tokyo, they obtained three gold medals despite disruptions caused by the pandemic. Uzbekistan achieved its best-ever performance at the Paris Olympics, securing 13 medals (8 gold, 2 silver, and 3 bronze), placing them 13th overall in the medal standings, first among post-Soviet states, and fourth among Asian nations overall. But the real story is the systematic nature of their success. Seven of those 13 Rio medals came in boxing alone, with three golds. At the 2023 World Boxing Championships in Tashkent, Uzbek fighters received five gold medals, the tournament's best overall performance. Boxers also dominated the Paris Olympics, bringing five gold medals to the national team’s account. Uzbekistan’s youth football teams have been even more dominant: AFC U-23 champions in 2018, U-20 Asian Cup winners in 2023, and U-17 continental champions twice since 2012. This is not random. Big tournaments reward institutional capacity, not just individual talent. Success on this scale requires functional sports federations, coherent youth development systems, and the kind of long-term planning that only works when bureaucracies can actually implement policies rather than just announce them. Small Economy, Outsized Results What makes Uzbekistan's breakthrough particularly striking is the economic context. Uzbekistan is not Germany or Japan leveraging massive GDP advantages. Uzbekistan's sports budget doubled to roughly $230 million by 2025, serious money for the country, but pocket change compared to what traditional powers spend. Yet they're outperforming nations with far deeper pockets. Their junior teams dominate youth football rankings. Their boxers routinely defeat athletes from wealthier countries. That efficiency ratio, results per dollar invested, suggests something important is happening at the governance level. The government has built over a hundred new sports facilities while doubling coaches' salaries. President Mirziyoyev's Presidential Olympics program scouts talent across all regions, attracting the best prospects to national training centers. Athletes now receive meaningful incentives: houses, cars, and scholarships. This is a systematic investment with clear metrics and accountability. The Quiet Politics of Athletic Success Sports remain one of the few arenas where state effectiveness can reveal itself without the outsized intrusion of politics. You can't fake your way to consistent Olympic medals or sustained success in FIFA youth competitions. These achievements require multiple sectors - education, healthcare, and urban planning - to function in coordination. Uzbekistan's sporting surge coincides with broader signs of improved state capacity under Mirziyoyev's administration. The infrastructure investments are real. The youth development programs are producing measurable results....

Humanitarian Aid

Uzbekistan Sends 183 Tons of Aid to Afghanistan for Eid al-Adha

Uzbekistan has delivered 183 tons of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan in honor of Eid al-Adha, reaffirming its commitment to supporting its southern neighbor. According to the administration of Termez city in Uzbekistan’s Surkhandarya region, the aid was transported to Afghanistan’s Balkh province. The shipment included essential food items such as flour, rice, sugar, pasta, vegetable oil, red beans, mung beans, instant meals, and sweets. This assistance was dispatched on the instruction of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and has been described as a gesture of solidarity and compassion from the Uzbek people during the religious holiday. The aid was officially handed over in the border city of Hairatan, at the site of the Astras company. The handover ceremony was attended by Uzbekistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Ismatulla Irgashev; Surkhandarya regional governor Ulugʻbek Qosimov; deputy governor of Balkh province, Nurulhodi Abuidris; and other officials from both countries. Afghan representatives expressed their gratitude to President Mirziyoyev and the Uzbek people for their continued humanitarian support and extended warm Eid greetings in return. In a similar gesture earlier this year, Uzbekistan sent approximately 200 tons of aid to Afghanistan for the Navruz and Eid al-Fitr holidays, consisting of similar food supplies.

Soccer

Uzbekistan Qualify for the FIFA World Cup

On June 5, history was made in Uzbekistan as the national football team qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. A nervy 0-0 draw against the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi was enough to secure them a place at next year’s tournament in North America. It marks the first time that the 34-year-old nation will appear in the final stages of the competition. They become only the third nation from the former USSR, after Russia and Ukraine, and the first from Central Asia, to do so. A Night of Nerves The final hurdle was not an easy one. The Uzbeks faced an intimidating atmosphere even before kick-off, with long airport screening processes meaning over 100 fans were detained for between 7-9 hours at Sharjah airport. Then there was the weather, even at 8pm, the Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi sweltered in 31-degree heat. Nevertheless, the team was helped by an Uzbek away support that did not cease all match. The away section was full well before kick-off, and the chants of “Oz-Bek-Is-Ton!”, accompanied by the pounding of drums, could be heard around the stadium. The Uzbeks, with just one loss in their nine-match qualifying campaign, have built their play around a solid defense. In six out of their nine qualifying matches, they did not concede a goal. The team’s star player, Manchester City’s Abdukodir Khusanov, has been the lynchpin of that formidable rearguard, but this is not a side of individuals. The whole team worked tenaciously for each other, and even when their protection was breached, the impressive Uktir Yusupov was on hand to make a few smart saves. Towards the end, the Uzbek fans and coaching staff were screaming at the referee to blow the final whistle after he added ten minutes of additional time. But when time was finally up, well-earned and long-awaited joy was plain to see on every face. Several players broke out sobbing. Celebrations The elation was shared not only by the players. The Uzbek media present in the stadium were seen jumping around the press box in delirium. Back home in Uzbekistan, where half the country had stayed up to watch the match, there was similar joy. “The feeling is indescribable. We’ve been waiting for this day for thirty-four years!” said Diyor Mirpolatov, a 19-year-old student from Tashkent told The Times of Central Asia. Xojiakbar Xamdamov, a graphic designer from Andijan, also could not hide his relief at finally making the tournament. “The failure had even become part of Uzbek pop culture,” he said. “It gets mentioned by standup comedians, in movies, on talk shows… now I think everything will change.” Mirpolotov says that he plans to go to the United States for the tournament: “I’m also going to apply as a volunteer for the World Cup, so I can get more access to matches.” His dream is to see his country play against Portugal. “It would be amazing for Cristiano Ronaldo to play against Uzbekistan,” he said. Xamadov is more circumspect. “Uzbekistan is one of those countries from...

Arbitration Case

Uzbektelecom Responds to Arbitration Case Filed by Humans Mobile

Following the news that Humans Mobile Ltd has launched an international arbitration case against Uzbekistan, state-owned telecom operator Uzbektelecom has publicly denied any wrongdoing and accused the company of failing to pay its contractual debts. On June 3, the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), part of the World Bank Group, registered the case filed by Humans Mobile Ltd, a subsidiary of the Singapore-based Humans Group. The company alleges that Uzbekistan violated a 2003 bilateral investment treaty between the two nations. According to Humans Mobile, actions taken by Uzbek authorities disrupted its business operations and undermined the investment climate. In response, Uzbektelecom issued a detailed statement rejecting the accusations. The company stated that Humans Mobile has been using Uzbektelecom’s infrastructure since 2020 without developing its own network, unlike other mobile operators in the country. “Humans continues to earn money by using our mobile network but delays payment for the services,” Uzbektelecom said. The operator claimed that repeated warnings were issued to Humans about possible service disconnection due to unpaid debts. In turn, Humans filed a complaint with the Committee on Competition, alleging unfair treatment. Some media outlets have suggested that Uzbektelecom may be leveraging its dominant market position to exert pressure on the Humans Group. Uzbektelecom dismissed these claims, asserting that Humans Group is free to contract with other providers such as Ucell, Beeline, or Mobi.uz. The company emphasized that no legislation mandates virtual mobile operators to exclusively use Uzbektelecom’s infrastructure. Uzbektelecom also highlighted its broader contributions to national digital development. Between 2017 and 2024, the company claims it reduced the cost of 1 Mbps of internet bandwidth for local providers by a factor of 40. Despite what it describes as repeated contractual violations by the group, Uzbektelecom says it continued to provide service in order to avoid disruption for end-users, including those who are not direct customers. On May 8, the Tashkent Economic Court ruled in favor of Uzbektelecom, ordering Humans Group to settle its outstanding debt. The company said it may pursue additional legal action to protect its reputation should misinformation continue to circulate. Uzbektelecom concluded its statement by reaffirming its commitment to fair competition, transparency, and open dialogue with all market participants, including Humans Mobile, provided contractual obligations are met.

Education

Expanding Preschool Education Boosts Women’s Employment in Uzbekistan

Expanding access to preschool education has emerged as a key factor in increasing women’s employment in Uzbekistan, according to a recent study by World Bank economists Chiyu Niu and Avralt-Od Purevjav, along with Central European University researcher Dilnovaz Abdurazzokova. Covering the years 2018 to 2022, the study examines how public investment in early childhood education has influenced female labor force participation. In regions with the most substantial growth in preschool availability, women’s employment rose by 12%, equivalent to a 3.3 percentage point increase. From Reform to Results In 2017, less than 30% of Uzbek children aged 3 to 7 were enrolled in preschool, one of the lowest rates globally. In response, the government launched sweeping reforms: within four years, the number of kindergartens tripled, significantly expanding access in both urban and rural areas. The researchers analyzed data from the "Listening to the Citizens of Uzbekistan" survey, which samples approximately 1,500 households monthly, alongside official labor market and education statistics. Not Just Childcare, But an Investment In many Uzbek households, childcare is traditionally provided by extended family members such as grandmothers, aunts, and older siblings. However, the study found that access to formal preschool services offers a more sustainable and consistent impact on women’s employment. One striking finding was a cultural shift in how kindergartens are perceived: once seen primarily as childcare, they are now increasingly viewed as investments in a child's development. Despite preschool costs ranging from 25% to 200% of a woman’s monthly income, many families are willing to pay, recognizing the long-term value. “The expansion of kindergartens motivates families to work, it’s not just about time, but about purpose,” the researchers noted. Many women return to work not only because they have more time, but also to help cover the cost of preschool. A Multigenerational Effect The study also observed a broader labor market ripple effect: once children are enrolled in preschool, not only mothers but also grandmothers and aunts often seek employment. This illustrates a critical dynamic, when childcare responsibilities are shared more evenly, the overall economic participation of women increases. Yet, access to preschool alone cannot close all gender gaps. In 2021, Uzbekistan's gender gap in labor force participation stood at 28 percentage points. Youth unemployment among women was 15.5%, compared to 10% for men, and 42% of young women (ages 15-24) were not in employment, education, or training (NEET), compared to just 8.8% of young men. Women also earned 34% less than men on average, well above the global average gender wage gap of 20%. These figures highlight that while childcare reform is foundational, it must be accompanied by broader efforts to create meaningful employment opportunities for women. A Model for Conservative Societies Uzbekistan’s experience offers valuable lessons for other nations with strong family traditions. It demonstrates that investing in childcare infrastructure can lead to measurable improvements in economic participation, even in traditionally conservative societies. As The Times of Central Asia previously reported, this topic was also discussed at the IV International Legal Forum “Tashkent...

Syr Darya River

Strained Currents: Managing the Syr Darya’s Waters

On both banks of the Syr Darya, apartments are springing up. The embankment itself is undergoing extensive renovation. Trucks crawl along, their weight pounding the freshly lain asphalt into shape. Its acrid whiff rankles in the nose for some distance. Kyzylorda’s new Akim, Nurzhan Akhatov, appointed in August 2024, is determined to make the most of his short term in office, explains Kanat Utegenov, founder of LLP ECO GUARD, an ecological laboratory. This makes the new landscaping important. “There is a lot of construction… it is visually noticeable to the population,” he told The Times of Central Asia. “Unfortunately, the economics of it have not necessarily been calculated.” Utegenov cites a new stadium on the left bank of the river as an example of one of these potential white elephant projects. Worse still, all this landscaping is dependent on one critical factor which is only partly under the control of the Akim, and only partly under the control of Kazakhstan. That issue is water. [caption id="attachment_32630" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] The low-running Syr Darya passing through Kyzylorda, Kazakhstan; image: TCA, Joe Luc Barnes[/caption] In late April, the view that a ritzy new apartment buys you is one of sad, sandy banks. Wading birds plod methodically through the mud, looking for worms. The dirty grey river does not so much flow but keeps up a ponderous momentum, inching its way northwest. Some of this water will reach the North Aral Sea, which is being propped up on life support by the Kokaral Dam. Utegenov attributes the low water level as being partly due to climatic change. “Winter has become milder and almost snowless,” he said, adding that it’s not unusual to see a low river in spring. “This is when the rice is planted; all the water goes to the irrigation canals.” Governments across the region are doubling down on rice production, says Bulat Yessekin, an expert on environmental and water policy in Central Asia. However, he points out that growing rice is incredibly inefficient in this part of the world. “If we take into account the full irrigation cycle, five tons (5,000 liters) of water are used to cultivate just one kilo of rice,” he told TCA. However, Kazakhstan’s government is keen to trumpet successes. The use of laser leveling technology in rice fields has helped save over 200 billion liters of water by distributing it more evenly. According to Kazakh state media, this has meant that the yield from each hectare of rice crop has increased by around 60-70%. This has done little to convince Yessekin, who believes this is little more than a sticking plaster. “There was no such need for technology before as there was enough water. Now, such technology has become necessary because otherwise, they will simply not be able to grow the crop. In countries with much greater precipitation, such as Thailand or India, you can grow it, but here there are no prospects for rice. Sooner or later people need to move to other crops.” Yessekin...