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Sports

Tajikistan Loses Chance to Host the Asian Cup

Asian football is set for a major overhaul of its schedule. Under pressure from FIFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has decided to cancel the current selection process for Asian Cup hosts and effectively restart it, while also changing the traditional timing of the tournaments. The AFC has informed national federations of the suspension of the bidding process for the 2031 and 2035 Asian Cups. The decision came as a surprise, as the list of candidates had been published only a few weeks earlier. Among the bids was a joint proposal from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan. However, the entire process has now been “reset”: all submitted applications are no longer valid, and the selection procedure will have to begin again. The changes follow a FIFA initiative to revise the schedule of continental competitions and move them to even-numbered years. After consultations, the AFC agreed to adopt the new model. As a result, the 2031 Asian Cup has been postponed to 2032, and the 2035 tournament to 2036. The 2027 Asian Cup, however, will take place as planned. The revised calendar is expected to place additional pressure on the international football schedule. With the rescheduling of major competitions, tournaments such as the UEFA European Championship, the Copa América, and the Asian Cup could be held in the same years. This may significantly “overload” national team calendars, forcing federations, coaches, and players to adapt to a more congested schedule and more complex planning requirements. The cancellation of the current bidding procedures means that countries will have to compete again for the right to host the tournaments. A new selection cycle has not yet been announced, and the timeline for its launch remains unclear.

Abdukodir Khusanov

The Athletic Names Khusanov Among World’s Most Underrated Footballers

Abdukodir Khusanov, a defender for the Uzbekistan national team and English Premier League club Manchester City, has been included in a list of the world’s most underrated footballers compiled by The Athletic. In its analysis, The Athletic noted that Khusanov’s early reputation was influenced by a difficult debut against Chelsea last season, when he conceded a goal and struggled during the opening minutes. This performance led some observers to underestimate the 22-year-old center-back. However, The Athletic added that he quickly recovered, demonstrating the qualities that prompted Manchester City to sign him and showing further improvement during the current campaign. The report highlights Khusanov’s pace, strong reading of defensive situations, and willingness to challenge opponents aggressively. While noting that his style can at times be overly assertive, The Athletic suggests these aspects can be refined with experience. It also emphasizes his composure in possession, describing him as “a genuine top prospect.” Khusanov appears on the list alongside several high-profile players from leading European clubs, including Federico Valverde of Real Madrid, Harry Maguire of Manchester United, Bernardo Silva of Manchester City, João Neves of Paris Saint-Germain, Harry Kane and Aleksandar Pavlović of Bayern Munich, Eric García of Barcelona, Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray, Jurriën Timber of Arsenal, and Tyrick Mitchell of Crystal Palace. Earlier, Khusanov was named Asia’s Best Young Footballer of 2025 by the outlet Goalpost, marking another milestone in his development. Over the past year, he has experienced a breakthrough period in his career. In January, he became the first Uzbek player to make his debut in the English Premier League following his transfer to Manchester City, according to English-language media reports. Since joining the club, Khusanov has gradually established himself in the squad, making nine appearances this season. His inclusion in The Athletic’s list reflects growing recognition of his potential at the highest level of European football.

Abdukodir Khusanov

Researchers Name Abdukodir Khusanov Fastest Center Back in Champions League

Uzbekistan national team defender Abdukodir Khusanov has been ranked the fastest central defender currently competing in the UEFA Champions League, according to new data released by the CIES Football Observatory. The Switzerland-based research group published its latest Weekly Post featuring exclusive Gradient data on running speeds among players whose clubs remain in the competition. The report analyzed maximum speeds and distance covered across different speed categories for five positional groups. Khusanov, who plays for Manchester City, recorded a top speed of 35.8 kilometers per hour, placing him first among center backs. He finished ahead of Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven in the same category. The CIES report also highlighted the fastest players in other positions. Among full-backs, Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes led the rankings, while Archie Gray topped the central midfield category. Anthony Gordon was the fastest among wide midfielders and wingers, and Kylian Mbappé led among center forwards. The data further examined how players distributed their movement across different speed ranges. Among the 100 players analyzed, Mbappé, Victor Osimhen, and Luis Suárez covered the highest proportion of distance at walking pace, defined as below 7 kilometers per hour. In contrast, central midfielders Häkon Evjen, João Simões, and Lucas Bergvall recorded the lowest share of walking distance. Earlier this month, the 21-year-old Khusanov was named Manchester City’s Player of the Month for January after winning a fan vote by a wide margin. The club praised his composure and tactical discipline, noting that his decision-making under pressure stood out during seven appearances across competitions.

Sports

Astana to Host UEFA Congress in 2027

The Union of European Football Associations has announced that the 51st UEFA Congress, at which a new president and members of the organization’s Executive Committee will be elected, will take place on March 4, 2027, in Astana. The decision was announced at the 50th anniversary UEFA Congress in Brussels. Kazakhstan was represented at the event by David Loria, Secretary General of the Kazakhstan Football Federation (KFF). The KFF confirmed the selection of the Kazakh capital as the venue for the next congress. UEFA brings together 55 national football associations and is responsible for organizing major international tournaments for clubs and national teams, as well as distributing revenue from media rights and sponsorship contracts. Kazakhstan has been a UEFA member since 2002, despite its geographical location in Central Asia. The UEFA Congress is the highest governing body of European football. It convenes annually and brings together representatives of all national associations. The congress approves strategic, financial, and organizational decisions and elects the organization’s leadership. The 2027 Congress will be an electoral session, with delegates set to elect the UEFA president and the new composition of the Executive Committee. UEFA is currently headed by Aleksander Čeferin, who has held the position since 2016 and was re-elected for another term in 2023. According to the KFF, the right to host the Congress is granted to member associations as a sign of institutional trust and recognition of their contribution to the development of football. The federation stated that the event will be the largest international football business gathering ever held in Kazakhstan and will strengthen the country’s position within the European football community. UEFA will finance the organization of the Congress. No funding from Kazakhstan’s state budget is envisaged. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that the Almaty-based club FC Kairat reached the main stage of the UEFA Champions League for the first time in its history.

Football

Abdukodir Khusanov Named Manchester City’s Player of the Month for January

Uzbekistan national team defender Abdukodir Khusanov has been named Manchester City’s Player of the Month for January, marking a major milestone in his early Premier League career. The club announced that Khusanov won the fan vote by a wide margin following a string of standout performances. The 21-year-old made seven appearances during the month, demonstrating consistency and adaptability while partnering with various defenders. Manchester City praised Khusanov’s composure and tactical discipline, noting that his decision-making under pressure set him apart. He finished ahead of high-profile teammates, including goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and club captain Bernardo Silva, to earn his first individual accolade at the club. Khusanov’s rise at City has drawn significant attention in Uzbekistan, where he is regarded as one of the country’s brightest footballing talents. His January performances reinforced that status, as he secured a regular spot in the defensive lineup and proved dependable in critical matches. Ahead of a UEFA Champions League fixture in January, Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola commended the young defender’s rapid development. “Just read the media, how they praised Khusanov. They’re right. He’s top,” Guardiola said, describing the player’s recent form as “exceptional.” Khusanov played the full 90 minutes in City’s Champions League clash against Norway’s Bodo/Glimt on January 20, anchoring the defense despite the team’s defeat. Guardiola also highlighted Khusanov’s discipline during earlier periods of limited playing time, citing his professionalism and commitment to improvement as a reflection of his football education in Uzbekistan.

Football

Turkmen Football Fans Moved to Worse Seats for Match with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr

Fans who have bought tickets to the upcoming Asian Champions League match between Turkmenistan's Arkadag and Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr on February 11 have been informed, sometimes repeatedly, that their seats are being changed to make room for “organized support” groups. According to a source in Ashgabat, notifications are being sent via users’ personal accounts on ticketing platforms. The vacated sections, the source said, are being allocated to students who are reportedly being trained in advance to provide choreographed support for the home team. Affected spectators are often offered seats with worse visibility, and in many cases, fans, especially families and groups, are being split across different sectors of the stadium, making it nearly impossible to watch the match together. Public frustration has grown as a result. “A 45,000-seat stadium was specifically allocated for this match. If officials had plans for some sections, they could have decided in advance and sold tickets accordingly. If they can’t even organize one match properly, how can we expect them to handle more serious events?” the source said. Some fans have opted not to attend the match at all, despite having already paid for tickets. Others are seeking to resell their tickets, though doing so is complicated. Ticket purchases required passport details, and it is believed that ID checks may be enforced at the gates, making resale risky. Adding to the discontent is the asymmetry in ticketing policy: the Ashgabat city administration’s ticket regulations prohibit buyers from exchanging or returning tickets, while allowing organizers to unilaterally reassign seats. According to reports, the most prominent seating sections will not be occupied by club supporters, but by students compelled to rehearse chants and routines for the game. Arkadag will host Al-Nassr in the last 32 round of the AFC Champions League. The Saudi club’s lineup includes global football star Cristiano Ronaldo. The return leg is scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia on February 17 or 18.