11.11.2025

On November 11, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a major sports facility in New Tashkent – a modern football stadium.

The last five years have been a turning point for Uzbek football. The national championship system has been reformed and youth academies have been created. There are 75 large and 302 mini-stadiums operating in the regions.

While in 2017 there were only three football fields in the country that met the requirements of FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation, today there are more than ten.

Recently, the construction of a modern National Football Center was completed in Yukorichirchik district. More than 65 thousand young athletes play football in specialized schools, where coaches and sports medicine specialists from leading foreign clubs are involved.

A system for selecting football players has been created, starting at the mahalla level. To this end, incentive mechanisms have been introduced, and mini-fields have been organized in 70 percent of mahallas. 1,5 thousand school stadiums have been renovated, and over a million schoolchildren and young people have been attracted to football. Tournaments among mahallas, districts, regions, and at the republic level have become traditional.

These measures have begun to bring results.

- For the first time in history, our Olympic team competed at the Olympics in Paris. For the first time, the national team won a ticket to the next World Cup. And now in Qatar, our U-17 footballers are defending the country's honor as Asian champions, - said the President at the ceremony.

Today, 20 Uzbek footballers play for prestigious foreign clubs. Their combined transfer value exceeds $60 million. It was particularly noted that our compatriot Abdukodir Khusanov became the most expensive footballer in Asia.

This reflects the international recognition of the Uzbek football school.

The President also said that during his recent visit to Uzbekistan, FIFA President Gianni Infantino highly appreciated the attention paid to football, the infrastructure created, the reforms in management and, in general, the fundamental changes that have taken place in Uzbek football. He said that the international football community has great respect for our country and that Uzbekistan is now one of the football giants of Asia.

On October 2, the FIFA Council decided to hold the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2027 in Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan. 

In each country, championship matches will be held in three stadiums. The final and semi-finals must be held in a stadium with a capacity of more than 50 thousand spectators – this is one of FIFA's requirements.

- That is why we are starting construction of a facility that is important for domestic football – a stadium in New Tashkent. Why was New Tashkent chosen for this $100 million project? Because New Tashkent will become a centre of opportunities and cutting-edge ideas, - emphasized the Head of State.

All projects in New Tashkent are implemented based on a unified concept – a harmonious combination of a modern architectural approach and national values, with an emphasis on environmental friendliness and “smart management.” The new stadium, built in accordance with this concept, will be integrated into the natural environment and built on the principles of “green energy,” “smart management,” and the creation of a comfortable urban environment.

The stadium will be built in compliance with all FIFA requirements and will become one of the largest and most technologically advanced football facilities in Asia. 

The facility will not only serve the 2027 U-20 World Cup, but will also become a driver for the development of Uzbek football and youth sports for decades to come.

It should be noted that Uzbekistan's right to host the world championship is yet another expression of the international community's trust and high regard for the country.

It was emphasized that a separate state program will be approved as part of preparations for the championship, which will define tasks related to infrastructure, transportation, hotel services, medicine, and volunteer activities.

- The foundation of the New Tashkent Stadium, which we are laying today, is the basis for our victories tomorrow. I am confident that this stadium will be a source of inspiration for young people, a symbol of national pride, and a great gift to millions of fans, - said the President.

At the end of the event, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev laid a capsule in the foundation and gave start to the construction of the stadium.