Uzbek Media After World Cup Exit: Great Disappointment and Pride in Historical Start

Despite being eliminated in the first round after losing to the Democratic Republic of the Congo team 3-1, the reactions of the Uzbek media were a mix of disappointment and pride in the country's historic first participation in the World Cup.

The Uzbek newspaper "UzDaily" described the end of the journey as "painful yet historic," noting that the team finished its first World Cup participation without any points after suffering three consecutive defeats against Colombia, Portugal, and then the Democratic Republic of the Congo, scoring two goals and conceding 11. The newspaper emphasized that reaching the finals for the first time remains a significant achievement for Uzbek football despite the tough ending.

On the other hand, some Uzbek sports commentary and fans focused on the technical decisions, with coach Fabio Cannavaro facing sharp criticism for his defensive playing style and tactical changes, along with calls to reassess the technical project and rely more on local coaches who led the team to historic qualification. Many also believed that the team lacked experience and composure after taking an early lead in the match against Congo.

Despite the bitterness of farewell, most Uzbek media agreed that the current participation should be "the beginning of the road, not its end," emphasizing that the team gained valuable experience that will help it compete strongly in the 2027 Asian Cup and future attempts to qualify for the World Cup.