Ever-present, never a finalist
Uzbekistan have been at every Asian Cup since 1996 without ever reaching a final. Fourth place in 2011 remains the best they have managed, and it is the kind of record that reads as steady rather than successful: nine appearances, several quarter-finals, no medal.
What has changed lately is the age of the squad. The generation that took Uzbekistan to the World Cup qualification places has come through together, and 2027 arrives while most of it is in its prime. Group B, with Bahrain, North Korea and Jordan, is the sort of draw a team with ambitions is expected to win.
How Uzbekistan qualified
Uzbekistan came through as second round Group E runners-up, confirmed on 26 March 2024.