Shomurodov: We want to shatter perceptions
Uzbekistan captain on the significance of the nation’s maiden World Cup tilt, prolific scoring form and inspiring the next generation of White Wolves.
Uzbekistan are set to feature at the FIFA World Cup for the first time
Will face Colombia, Portugal and a Play-Off Tournament winner
Captain Eldor Shomurodov tells FIFA that the White Wolves are looking to turn heads in North America
For nine centuries, the towering Jarkurgan minaret was the most notable thing about the tiny industrial town of barely 20,000 located in the far southeast of Uzbekistan. More recently it has gained acclaim as the birthplace of one of the nation’s greatest footballers.
Eldor Shomurodov’s hometown is a crossroads clash of oil fields, textile factories and cotton production. His career has taken him from that town, a short ride from neighbouring Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan all the way to the bright lights of Serie A, a European title and a place in history as Uzbekistan’s greatest goalscorer.
Born into a football family where both his father and older brother played in their homeland, the 30-year-old now stands six months away from leading Uzbekistan out against Colombia in Mexico City in what will be his nation’s first FIFA World Cup™ match.
As the prolific forward explained to FIFA, having the chance to stride the global stage brings a sense of immense pride not just for Uzbekistan but also for the broader Central Asian region.
“It’s very hard to put the feeling [we have] into words. Not just us players, but the whole of Uzbekistan really wanted [this qualification] and afterwards everyone was so happy with the result, because we all understood what it meant for our people and our fans and that's why it's a big thing for us.
“Many football fans, not only from Uzbekistan, but also from Central Asia, congratulated us after we secured qualification. If I’m not mistaken, the president of Kazakhstan even congratulated our president at an event. Now if we play well and come up with some positive performances, the Uzbekistan national team will gain fans from all over the world.”
Drawn in Group K alongside the Colombians, Portugal and either Congo DR, Jamaica or New Caledonia, the White Wolves are aiming to make a splash in those fixtures in Mexico City, Houston and Atlanta respectively. With World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro now at the helm, Shomurodov is confident that his nation will turn heads in North America.
“I knew [before the draw] that it didn’t matter that much who we were put with. Our job now is to get out of the group and the rest is down to fate.
“We’ll certainly do our best. We are representing our nation and that is why we are going to work hard and show the world that Uzbekistan is one of the strongest teams around. However, we can’t make any massive promises.
“Some may look at us as outsiders but our task is to shatter those perceptions and change such thoughts for the better.”
That’s a narrative that the prolific marksman has been scripting his entire career and he enters the World Cup year in arguably the most impressive form of his life. Having left his homeland for Russian side Rostov as a 22-year-old, a brief spell at Italian side Genoa followed before a headline move to Serie A giants Roma was secured in 2021.
The following season he became the first Uzbek to win a European club competition as the Giallorossi claimed the UEFA Conference League title. Now on loan at Turkish Super Lig side Basaksehir, Shomurodov has been in prolific form and heads into the new year top of the scoring charts with 12 goals (and three assists) from just 17 matches.
Having regularly rubbed shoulders with some of the game’s greats during his decade in European football, the likes of Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and Colombian icon James Rodriguez hold little fear as they prepare to cross paths at the global showpiece.
Rather Shomurodov is more aware of the chance he, alongside the likes of Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov and fellow Türkiye-based starlet Abbosbek Fayzullaev, have to continue to inspire younger generations of Uzbek talent.
“Come to think about it, few players had [played in Europe] before I left. We have now made it clear that we can do it and countries across the world have seen how players have left Uzbekistan and become part of strong European teams. I think that benefits not only our national team but also Uzbek football as a whole.
“In Uzbekistan, people have always really loved football, as well as being fans of the national team. When I was a child I remember how upset fans were when our side didn’t qualify for the World Cup. Today, thanks to our recent success and our president's prioritisation of sports and football, the attitude of fans towards our football has changed.
“Our players began to go all over Europe, infrastructure was developed and opportunities were created for young people and all that is really starting to bear fruit.”
“Of course, now we know we’re going to be at the World Cup, a lot of people from Uzbekistan are also planning to go. I hope seeing them there will give us the feeling of playing in front of a home crowd. We know that a lot of Uzbeks also live in America - feeling their support and knowing they’re behind us will bring great motivation and help us reach new levels.”