Uzbekistan Rewards National Football Team with Luxury Cars After Historic World Cup Qualification

In an unprecedented celebration of national sporting achievement, the government of Uzbekistan has gifted luxury vehicles to players of the national football team following their first-ever qualification for the FIFA World Cup.

After a goalless draw against the United Arab Emirates on June 5, 2025, the Uzbekistan national team secured a historic place in the 2026 World Cup, set to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The result was enough to see Uzbekistan finish second in their group behind Iran, granting them automatic qualification and sparking widespread celebration across the nation.

In recognition of their success, each member of the team received a Chevrolet Equinox, a mid-size SUV manufactured in Uzbekistan by the UzAuto Motors company.

The gesture, backed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, symbolizes the country’s immense pride in the national team’s accomplishments and aims to encourage further investment in the sport.

The players were officially handed the keys during a ceremony in Tashkent, where government officials praised their perseverance, unity, and contribution to national pride.

Uzbekistan’s qualification has ended decades of frustration, as the country had repeatedly come close to reaching the tournament in past campaigns. Their defensive consistency and tactical discipline under coach Timur Kapadze proved decisive during the qualifiers.

While the luxury gifts have garnered admiration across Central Asia, some have also questioned whether the gesture sends the right message in a country with economic challenges.

Still, for many fans, the moment represents more than a sporting victory—it is a sign of Uzbekistan’s rising status on the global football stage.