Uzbekistan arrive at the 2026 World Cup as debutants, making history as the first Central Asian nation ever to reach the tournament. Known as the White Wolves, they are also the first doubly landlocked country to qualify for a World Cup, surrounded on all sides by nations that are themselves landlocked. Since independence from the Soviet Union, Uzbekistan made seven failed attempts to qualify across three decades. This generation, led by striker Eldor Shomurodov and Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov, finally broke through.

Uzbekistan earned their place through the AFC third round, drawn in Group A alongside Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kyrgyzstan, and North Korea. They were unbeaten in the second round, finishing level on points with Iran, and carried that form into the decisive stage. Across ten third round matches they accumulated 21 points, losing only once, and finished as runners up behind Iran. Qualification was sealed on 06/05/25 with a goalless draw against the UAE in Abu Dhabi, a result that ended 33 years of near misses since independence.