First World Cup ever! Uzbekistan clinches spot for ’26 tournament

Uzbekistan has qualified for its first ever World Cup appearance for next year’s 48-team tournament to be held in North America.

There are now eight teams – Uzbekistan, Japan, New Zealand, Iran and Argentina, along with co-hosts United States, Canada and Mexico – that have qualified for the 2026 World Cup.

With a scoreless draw against the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, Uzbekistan picked up the point required to secure progress thanks to goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov’s second-half performance – which included three key stops. 

Meanwhile, Australia is virtually assured of its sixth straight appearance thanks to its 1-0 win over Japan in Perth.

The already-qualified Japan fielded an experimental XI with only Daichi Kamada and Koki Machida having made more than four international appearances, but still had the majority of possession and chances.

Substitute Takefusa Kubo had perhaps the best opportunity with 10 minutes remaining, but the midfielder shot wide of the post from inside the area.

In the 90th minute, Riley McGree broke free down the right and pulled back for Behich to curl home to bring Perth Stadium to its feet and give Australia its first win over Japan in 16 years.

Elsewhere, China was eliminated from qualification after a 1-0 loss to Indonesia in Jakarta.

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