In an extraordinary gesture that captured the imagination of football fans around the world, the Uzbekistan national football team was handsomely rewarded after qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup — with each player receiving a luxury car, handed over in a spectacular ceremony that symbolized national pride, gratitude, and an unwavering belief in the squad’s potential.
The dramatic moment unfolded shortly after Uzbekistan’s 3-1 victory over reigning Asian champions Qatar on Tuesday, June 11, 2025, at the Milliy Stadium in Tashkent — a match that sealed the nation’s qualification for its first-ever appearance at a senior men’s World Cup. Moments after the final whistle, the players were led to the side of the pitch, where a row of brand-new Chevrolet Malibu sedans awaited them — parked in full view to fulfill a promise made by the government and football federation before the match.
“This is not just about football,” declared Uzbekistan Football Association President Abdusalom Azizov in a post-match interview. “This is about national pride, about showing our young generation that hard work and belief will always be recognized. These boys made history, and today we say thank you, not just with words, but with action.”
The reward was part of a pre-match pledge to motivate the team to secure the win that would guarantee a spot at the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico in 2026. The cars, visibly positioned near the field before kick-off, served as a symbolic and tangible reminder of what awaited the players if they delivered the historic result. That psychological boost, it seems, paid off.
Goals from Oston Urunov, Igor Sergeev, and Jaloliddin Masharipov secured a dominant performance over a strong Qatari side. As fans erupted in celebration, attention quickly turned to the row of gleaming cars that had been parked pitchside throughout the evening — an unusual but unforgettable element of the occasion.
Photos and videos from the event immediately went viral on social media, with football enthusiasts praising the boldness of the move. “It’s one thing to promise players incentives — it’s another to show them the keys before they even step onto the pitch,” one Twitter user commented. “Uzbekistan didn’t just believe in their team — they made sure the team saw that belief right in front of them.”
Each Chevrolet Malibu, a popular mid-size executive vehicle, reportedly cost upwards of $25,000. In total, at least 25 cars were presented to players, coaches, and selected staff members as a token of appreciation. The act echoes similar high-profile rewards seen in other football-mad nations, but the visibility and spectacle surrounding Uzbekistan’s approach made it uniquely striking.
In his post-match comments, team captain Eldor Shomurodov could hardly contain his excitement: “It’s an unbelievable feeling. We knew what was at stake, and to have that level of support from the nation, from the President, from everyone — it gave us the energy to make this dream a reality. The car is a beautiful gesture, but the real gift is the chance to represent Uzbekistan at the World Cup for the first time ever.”
Uzbekistan’s qualification comes after years of near-misses and heartbreaks. The Central Asian nation has long been viewed as one of Asia’s sleeping giants in football, boasting impressive youth systems and club-level performances, but consistently falling short in the final stages of World Cup qualifying. That trend was finally broken in front of a sold-out home crowd, where the emotion and significance of the moment was felt by players, staff, and fans alike.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev also released a statement celebrating the team’s achievement, describing the qualification as “a golden chapter in Uzbekistan’s sporting history.” He added, “These young men have made our nation proud. They have shown the world that Uzbekistan is rising not just economically or culturally, but also in the beautiful game of football.”
The lavish reward strategy may also serve as inspiration for other nations hoping to boost performance through direct incentives. While some critics on social media questioned the cost of such gifts in the face of national economic priorities, the overwhelming majority of comments praised the boldness and uniqueness of the celebration.
Football analyst Timur Bekzod, speaking to Uzbek sports outlet Championat Asia, said: “There is something poetic about this moment. The players saw the dream, worked for it, and were rewarded with something tangible. It was a show of confidence that clearly helped them rise to the occasion. Uzbekistan’s story will be one of the most talked-about journeys to the 2026 World Cup.”
As the country looks ahead to its debut on the world stage in 2026, the excitement and momentum created by both the victory and the memorable rewards ceremony are expected to fuel further investment in grassroots football, youth development, and national team infrastructure. Already, local news reports indicate that the Uzbekistan Football Association is exploring advanced training programs and international partnerships to prepare the team for the challenge ahead.
For the players, the cars may soon fade into the background, but the moment — the roar of the crowd, the emotion of victory, and the sight of those gleaming vehicles under the stadium lights — will live on forever in Uzbek sporting folklore.
As one fan wrote on Instagram: “They didn’t just drive home in style. They drove straight into history.”
