Almost every neighbourhood in Uzbekistan has at least one football pitch. The grass is often patchy and dusty, but that doesn't stop the games - kids set up jumpers as goalposts and play until the sun goes down. Lots of Uzbek footballers say they learned their best tricks on those small, rough pitches.
The country's most famous club is Pakhtakor (which means 'cotton picker' - a reminder of Uzbekistan's farming history). They are based in Tashkent and play in a stadium that holds over 30,000 people. The atmosphere at a big game is huge, with fans singing and waving sky-blue and white flags.
The Uzbek national team has played in many big international tournaments. In 2026, Uzbekistan qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in their history. The whole country celebrated - children all over Tashkent ran out into the streets cheering. It was a very proud moment.
Football here is not just about winning. It is about gathering. After school, friends meet on the pitch to play. Older brothers teach younger ones. Mums and dads watch from benches at the edge. By the time the floodlights come on, half the neighbourhood is there.