The Uzbekistan national under‑23 football team represents Uzbekistan in international football competitions for players aged under 23, including the Olympic Games, the AFC U‑23 Asian Cup and the football tournament at the Asian Games. The team is administered by the Uzbekistan Football Federation (UFF), the governing body for football in Uzbekistan.
Governance and affiliation
- Governing body: Uzbekistan Football Federation (UFF)
- Confederation: Asian Football Confederation (AFC)
- FIFA affiliation: Member of FIFA through the UFF
Purpose and competition eligibility
The under‑23 team primarily serves as the Olympic football squad, as the Olympic men’s tournament is restricted to players under 23 years of age, with each team permitted three over‑age players. In addition to the Olympics, the team competes in the AFC U‑23 Asian Cup (formerly the AFC U‑22 Championship) and the football tournament at the Asian Games, where the age limit is also under 23 with a limited number of over‑age players allowed.
Historical performance
| Tournament | Appearances | Best result | Notable years |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFC U‑23 Asian Cup | 4 (2016, 2018, 2020, 2022) | Fourth place (2018) | 2018 – reached semi‑finals, lost to Vietnam; secured a spot in the 2020 Olympic qualifying tournament |
| Asian Games (U‑23) | 5 (2010, 2014, 2018, 2022) | Quarter‑finals (2018) | 2018 – advanced to the quarter‑finals before losing to Saudi Arabia |
| Olympic qualifiers (AFC) | Various (most recent cycle 2023‑2024) | Did not qualify for final tournament | 2020 and 2024 qualification cycles – eliminated in earlier rounds |
Coaching and staff
- Head coach (as of 2024): [Name to be confirmed] – appointed by the UFF to lead the U‑23 side, focusing on development of players for the senior national team.
- Assistant coaches: Typically include former senior internationals and technical staff specialized in youth development.
- Goalkeeping coach, fitness coach, medical staff: Provided by the UFF’s technical department.
Player selection and development
The squad is selected from domestic Uzbek clubs (most notably Pakhtakor, Bunyodkor, and Navbahor) and from Uzbek players active abroad. The U‑23 side functions as a bridge between the Uzbekistan national under‑20 team and the senior national team, giving emerging talents exposure to higher‑level competition.
Recent squad (selected for the 2024 AFC U‑23 Asian Cup qualification)
| Position | Player | Club (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | [Player A] | Pakhtakor |
| Defender | [Player B] | Bunyodkor |
| Defender | [Player C] | Navbahor |
| Midfielder | [Player D] | FC AGMK |
| Forward | [Player E] | Lokomotiv Tashkent |
| (Full roster details are published by the UFF prior to each competition.) |
Notable alumni
Several players who have featured for the Uzbekistan U‑23 side have progressed to become regulars in the senior national team, including:
- Odil Ahmedov – midfielder, senior caps in FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
- Jaloliddin Masharipov – winger, contributed to senior team successes.
- Dostonbek Tursunov – defender, later captained the senior side.
Kit and colors
The team wears the same colors as the senior national side:
- Home kit: Predominantly white shirts, white shorts, and white socks, often featuring blue and green trim.
- Away kit: Typically blue or green shirts with contrasting shorts and socks.
Development objectives
The UFF’s stated objectives for the under‑23 team include:
- Providing competitive international experience to players transitioning from youth to senior football.
- Identifying and nurturing talent for future senior national team selection.
- Enhancing tactical and technical standards consistent with AFC and FIFA guidelines.
Sources
- Uzbekistan Football Federation official communications and match reports.
- Asian Football Confederation (AFC) tournament archives.
- FIFA competition records.
(All information reflects publicly available data up to July 2026. Any subsequent changes to staff, squad composition, or competition outcomes are not reflected here.)
