Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan have officially submitted a joint bid to host the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2027, as FIFA begins reviewing proposals for the youth tournament. The bid reflects both countries’ commitment to advancing football development and leveraging recent investments in sports infrastructure.
According to the football associations of both countries, the proposal builds on a shared vision rooted in growing cooperation among Turkic-speaking nations, recent football reforms, and the successful experience of hosting major regional tournaments.
“Today, alongside Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan is fully prepared to host this prestigious tournament,” the Uzbekistan Football Association said in a statement. “We have upgraded our stadiums to meet international standards and gained valuable experience through hosting the AFC U-20 and U-23 Championships, as well as the historic Futsal World Cup in Central Asia.”
The 2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup, held in Uzbekistan, was widely praised for its organization, with FIFA President Gianni Infantino calling it one of the best editions in the tournament’s history.
With a strong emphasis on hospitality, professional event management, and deep-rooted football culture, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan are positioning themselves as serious contenders to host the U-20 event, one of FIFA’s key international competitions for emerging talent.
Uzbekistan’s national football team made history on June 5 by qualifying for the FIFA World Cup for the first time. The team secured its spot after a crucial victory against the United Arab Emirates during the 9th round of the third qualifying stage, held in the UAE.
