Uzbekistan National Team: From 'Changzhou Heroes' to World Cup Newcomers

Five Uzbekistan players from the 2018 U23 Asian Cup final in Changzhou have been selected for the national team for the 2026 World Cup.

Specifically, they are goalkeeper Botirali Ergashev, defender Rustamjon Ashurmatov, and midfielders Azizjon Ganiev, Odiljon Khamrobekov, and Dostonbek Khamdamov.

Among them, Rustamjon Ashurmatov was the one who scored the opening goal against Vietnam's U23 side.

Eight years have passed since that match in Changzhou (China), and these five players have achieved varying levels of success at the national team level.

Odiljon Hamrobekov has been the most consistent, making 71 appearances for the Uzbekistan national team. In the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, this midfielder featured in all 16 matches of the second and third rounds.

In Uzbekistan's opening match of the 2026 World Cup on the morning of June 18 against Colombia, 3 out of 11 starting players had previously participated in the 2018 U23 Asian Cup finals: Ashurmatov, Shukurov, and Shomurodov.

Notably, among them, three players started in the 'Changzhou white snow' final against Vietnam U23: Ashurmatov, Shukurov, and Shomurodov, while Urunov was the youngest player on the Uzbekistan team at that time.

The starting lineup of Uzbekistan in their World Cup 2026 opener against Colombia on the morning of June 18 brought special emotions to Vietnamese fans, because among the 11 starting players, up to four had participated in the 2018 U23 Asian Cup finals in Changzhou.

They are center-back Rustam Ashurmatov, midfielder Otabek Shukurov, captain and striker Eldor Shomurodov, and winger Oston Urunov. Among them, Ashurmatov, Shukurov, and Shomurodov all started in the final that beat Vietnam U23 2-1 in the historic snowstorm, while Urunov was then only 17 years old and the youngest player for Uzbekistan.

Eight years after their triumph in China, that golden generation continued to make their mark by helping Uzbekistan qualify for the World Cup for the first time. Under the guidance of coach Fabio Cannavaro, the Central Asian representative fielded a lineup consisting of Utkir Yusupov, Abdukodir Khusanov, Rustam Ashurmatov, Sherzod Nasrullaev, Abdulla Abdullaev, Behruzjon Karimov, Akmal Mozgovoy, Otabek Shukurov, Oston Urunov, Abbosbek Fayzullaev, and Eldor Shomurodov.

In the match against Colombia at the Azteca Stadium, despite being considered underdogs, Uzbekistan still caused considerable difficulties for their opponents.

The biggest highlight was Abbosbek Fayzullaev with Uzbekistan's first-ever goal in World Cup history, while captain Shomurodov along with veterans Ashurmatov and Shukurov continued to serve as experience pillars for the Central Asian team.

Despite losing 1-3, the performance against Colombia still demonstrated the maturity of Uzbek football after a journey that began with the 2018 U23 Asian Cup championship.