Words & photos by Dave Harry @dave_harry007 (insta) & @daveharry007 (X)
Scotland’s qualification for the World Cup isn’t the only story of a national side finally overcoming years of setbacks to reach the grandest football stage of all.
Earlier this year, Uzbekistan qualified for the finals for the first time in their history and, like Scotland, it wasn’t from a lack of trying.
In a 2006 play-off, they were beaten by Bahrain, arguably due to a farcical refereeing decision. When converting a penalty and seemingly doubling their first-leg lead, the referee spotted encroachment and, rather than awarding a retake as the rules state, he gave Bahrain an indirect free-kick. Following a post-match inquest that led to the game being replayed, Uzbekistan ultimately lost.
Then there was 2014, when Uzbekistan cruelly fell short of South Korea due to a worse goal difference (painfully, it was just one goal). Then the White Wolves of Uzbekistan were edged out by South Korea again in 2020.
But football can bring delayed gratification, and when Uzbekistan qualified in June via a goalless draw in the UAE, there was a sense of schadenfreude as Bahrain were eliminated in the same round. There was jubilation in Tashkent, Samarkand and beyond.
Despite all the previous near-misses, the fact that Uzbekistan qualified for the 2026 World Cup still surprised me a little. I have visited the beautiful country myself. It wasn’t a football-related trip, but I managed to get in one game: Lokomotiv Tashkent v Qizilqum Zarafshon in the Uzbek top flight.
As I travelled around, there were clear signs of investment in the game. An intent to build a decent international side has borne fruit. And I’m pleased they made it. I do love a story of overcoming heartbreak and pain to reap reward finally – it is that that still makes football so special, from Tashkent to Glasgow.
