After years of agonising near misses, Uzbekistan are on the verge of making history — the nation is set to compete at a FIFA World Cup for the first time as an independent state.

BBC World Service's More than the Score podcast dedicated an episode to telling the story behind one of the most anticipated debuts at the 2026 tournament, which spans Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

A decade on the pitch

Host Mani Djazmi spoke with Jaloliddin Masharipov, a winger who has represented Uzbekistan for more than a decade. Masharipov offered a candid look at the preparation inside the camp and the excitement building around the squad as their World Cup moment finally approaches.

A particular source of national pride is Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov, widely regarded as Uzbekistan's standout player heading into the tournament. Khusanov's profile at club level has helped raise the team's visibility on the global stage.

A reunion with Ronaldo

Masharipov also revealed a personal subplot to savour: Uzbekistan are drawn to face Portugal, meaning he will be reunited on the pitch with his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. Few World Cup storylines carry that kind of warmth.

Investment and national identity

The podcast also features BBC Uzbek's Firuz Rahimi, who outlines the scale of investment Uzbekistan has poured into developing a World Cup-ready squad over recent years. For Rahimi, qualification is not simply a sporting achievement — it carries deep significance for how the country projects itself to the world.

Italy legend Fabio Cannavaro serves as head coach, and the episode asks whether his pedigree and experience can carry Uzbekistan beyond the group stage and into genuine contention.

More than the Score goes beyond the scores and statistics of the men's World Cup, shining a light on new teams, emerging stars, and the cultural forces shaping the 48-team tournament. New episodes are available wherever you listen to BBC podcasts.