In 2006, when they placed 45th in the Fifa rankings - five places lower than they are now - Uzbekistan controversially lost a two-legged intercontinental play-off against Bahrain.

A 1-0 first-leg home win was ordered to be replayed in full because the referee incorrectly awarding a free-kick to the visitors when an Uzbekistan attacker encroached during a team-mate's penalty.

They drew the replay 1-1, and it was 0-0 in the away leg, meaning an away-goals defeat - something Uzbekistan fans will never forget.

In 2014 Uzbekistan missed out on goal difference to South Korea. Then in 2018 they were two points short of qualifying for the tournament in Russia, with South Korea edging them out again after the two sides drew 0-0 in Tashkent in the final group game.

It is no wonder qualifying for 2026 drew such jubilation, but it was merely a reflection of the progress in Uzbekistani football in the past decade.

"The qualification to the World Cup has not been an overnight success story, with it being the goal of a long-term development plan to increase the standards of Uzbek football as a whole," said Bowers.

"New expectations when it comes to stadium standards, coaching, opening up of Uzbek football association academies in multiple regions of the country and further youth development, among others, has raised the level of professionalism occurring within the domestic game.

"This has had a trickle-down impact on success initially at both youth level - Under-17 and Under-20 Asian Cup winners, Olympic qualification, Under-17 World Cup qualification, among other youth finals and semi-finals on an continental level - and senior level.

"The Uzbekistan FA has recently opened up a national training centre outside Tashkent similar in concept to St Georges' Park to provide national teams of all levels high standards of facilities for training."

Manchester City signed Uzbekistan defender Abdukodir Khusanov in January 2025 from Lens for a fee worth £34m.

A relatively unknown 20-year-old at the time, Khusanov's stature in the City side and in the Premier League means he is already the face of Uzbekistani football.

But paving the way for Khusanov, now 21, was Server Djeparov - the only Uzbek to be crowned Asian footballer of the year. He did this not once, but twice.

Recognised by his famous mullet, Djeparov had trials at Chelsea and was a part of the Uzbekistan side that missed out on the World Cup three times.

But now, there is a new hero in Khusanov and Bowers compares the impact in his home nation to that of David Beckham in England in the early 2000s.

He said: "Khusanov's rise from Minsk to Manchester has been incredible and his impact on Uzbek football relative to his age and experience is difficult to measure.

"Uzbekistan has had players play for big historical European clubs like Roma and Dynamo Kyiv, but Khusanov's move in the age of social media and the reach of English football globally has seen Khusanov become similar to how David Beckham was back in the early 2000s, being who kids want to be and the face of the national team.

"It's too early to measure his impact on kids playing football, but the longer he spends at a club like City, the bigger it will undoubtedly be.

"We have already seen players get trials or join prominent European sides, or be expected to join soon, in very good level leagues in Belgium and Portugal, so the impact is perhaps already being felt."

Uzbekistan forward Jaloliddin Masharipov told BBC World Service about Khusanov's stardom in his home country: "He's the first guy in the Premier League in Uzbekistan.

"All the fans love him now but fans love all the players here who play national team. Every time you go outside, go to a restaurant, people come for a picture.

"You go to a restaurant, you don't pay. Respect, like this here."

It has been all change for Uzbekistan since they realised their dream.

Italy legend and 2006 World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro will guide them to the World Cup this summer after taking over from Timur Kapadze in October 2025.

Cannavaro is expected to help meet the demands of a first World Cup and was recently hired to add the international experience, nous and gravitas that the nation lacks.

"I want warriors," Cannavaro said after overseeing a 3-1 friendly victory over Gabon at a packed Milliy Stadium during the March international break.

"I want high intensity, always. This is the key for me, to have fighters.

"We will go to the World Cup to face top teams and, if people think it's easy, they will make a mistake.

"It's Uzbekistan's first time at the World Cup and we go to face everyone without fear."

Bowers said: "Despite initially being seen as a disappointing and underwhelming choice to replace interim manager Kapadze, who was very popular, Cannavaro has undoubtedly thrown himself into his role with consistent appearances at Uzbek Super League games, meeting Uzbeks playing abroad and holding a number of training camps already.

"I believe he will bring his experience from his time in the Italian national team, his flexible but pragmatic management style and his passion for the role will ideally allow Uzbekistan to play as well as they can in the matches."