Uzbekistan and Jordan: Qualified for the 2026 World Cup for the first time!

Uzbekistan and Jordan: Qualified for the 2026 World Cup for the first time!

On June 5, 2025, the time has finally come: Uzbekistan and Jordan have qualified for the World Cup for the first time. This historic achievement is the result of hard work and an exciting race in the Asian qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Uzbekistan secured their ticket after managing to a 0-0 draw against the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi. The team thus took second place in Asian qualification group A behind Iran, who had already qualified. Jordan, on the other hand, celebrated a clear 3-0 win in Oman and can no longer fall out of the promotion ranks.

A total of ten of the 48 participants have already been confirmed for the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in the USA, Canada and Mexico. In addition to Uzbekistan and Jordan, the teams that have already qualified include the three host countries as well as defending champions Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea. Before this success, Uzbekistan had narrowly missed out on qualifying for the World Cup on several occasions, including in 2005, when they had to replay a crucial match against Bahrain due to a referee's error, and in 2014, when they lost on penalties against Jordan. Vienna.at reports that this successful qualification is a significant milestone for the Uzbekistan football team.

Structure of the qualification

Qualifying for the 2026 World Cup was notable for Asia as the number of guaranteed spots was increased from 4.5 to 8, with the possibility of another via intercontinental playoffs. For the first time, the Asian Challenge was structured so that 22 of the lowest-ranked AFC members competed in the first round, followed by a second round comprising 9 groups of 4 teams each. 18 teams competed in the third round, with the first two teams in each group qualifying directly for the 2026 World Cup. The last two teams in each group had the opportunity to secure the last possible starting spot through intercontinental playoffs. Fussballdaten.de provides detailed information about the entire qualification process.

The Asia group also had known favorites and challengers. Strong nations included Japan, South Korea, Iran and Australia, while up-and-coming teams such as Uzbekistan and Jordan drew attention. Uzbekistan is ranked 62nd in the FIFA world rankings, which should provide additional motivation for the team to prove themselves on the international stage. The team's performance in the qualification, which ultimately led to their first World Cup participation, was particularly outstanding.

The 2026 World Cup and its significance

The 2026 FIFA World Cup represents a special turning point for Asian football. The expanded competition will not only allow more teams from Asia to take part in the prestigious event, but also provide opportunities for mid-tier teams to compete internationally. However, the challenges should not be underestimated, as various aspects such as geographical and climatic conditions, infrastructural differences and political tensions can influence competition.

Overall, there is a new opportunity for Uzbekistan and Jordan to showcase Asian football on a global stage. Kicker.de notes that the path to the World Cup is of great importance for both nations and represents a source of hope for both players and fans. Both teams have the chance to rewrite their football history and use the World Cup as a springboard for future success.