Changzhou Generation 2018 helps Uzbekistan win ticket to World Cup 2026

“Snowy Changzhou” is the phrase used to describe the final match of the 2018 AFC U23 Championship between Vietnam U23 and Uzbekistan U23. The generation of players who participated in the match 7 years ago from both teams were very successful.

Thế hệ Thường Châu 2018 giúp Uzbekistan giành vé dự World Cup 2026 - 1 — Uzbekistan football team has qualified for the World Cup finals for the first time in history (Photo: AFC).

Quang Hai, Tien Linh, Dinh Trong, Bui Tien Dung, Van Toan of Vietnamese football later became big stars of domestic football. Tien Linh, Quang Hai, Van Toan and central defender Bui Tien Dung are 4 out of 5 people of Vietnamese football who have won the AFF Cup twice (the other is Do Duy Manh).

Meanwhile, the generation that participated in the U23 Southeast Asian final in Changzhou (China) of Uzbekistan brought this Central Asian football straight to the 2026 World Cup finals.

Uzbekistan's squad that qualified for next year's World Cup includes a host of players who won the 2018 AFC U23 Championship.

These players include goalkeeper Botirali Ergashev, center back Rustam Ashurmatov, left back Akramjon Komilov, midfielder Odiljon Hamrobekov, striker Jasurbek Yakhshiboev, Bobur Abdikholikov...

Thế hệ Thường Châu 2018 giúp Uzbekistan giành vé dự World Cup 2026 - 2 — The "Snow White Changzhou" generation brought Uzbekistan to the World Cup (Photo: AFC).

Over the years, these players have not only maintained their form, but have also become even better than before. In addition to the traditional technical qualities of Uzbek football, the above-mentioned players are also equipped with modern football thinking.

These things help Uzbekistan get closer and closer to the level of the top teams in Asia, before they qualify for the World Cup.

The next notable thing is that, while many football teams in Asia, especially teams in Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia), and a few teams in the Arab bloc (Qatar, UAE) try to naturalize many foreign players, Uzbekistan remains loyal to the policy of using players trained by themselves.

With the same goal of trying to take advantage of FIFA's increase in the number of teams participating in the 2026 World Cup to qualify, Uzbekistan's approach is different from other football countries. The Central Asian team has a more fundamental and systematic approach compared to football countries such as Qatar, UAE and Indonesia.

As a result, Uzbekistan is now reaping the rewards of its patient policy of training young players and nurturing them to become talented players. On the contrary, other football nations are still struggling to find opportunities in the 4th qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in Asia.

The historic success of Uzbekistan football is also an encouragement for football teams that focus on youth training, including Vietnamese football: Be persistent in your own efforts, and success will come!