UAE vs Uzbekistan Preview & Prediction | 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying (AFC)

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The United Arab Emirates are the only team that can prevent Uzbekistan from guaranteeing their first ever 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification being confirmed in the third round of AFC qualifying.

Kick-off date/time: 5 June 2025 at 5:00 pm

How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – Not televised

How to watch online: UK – Bet365 & FIFA+ / US – FIFA+

Key Stats

• Uzbekistan have won the last two international matches between these teams.
• The United Arab Emirates have lost only three of their last 14 World Cup qualifying matches (W9 D2).
• The United Arab Emirates have won their last two World Cup qualifying matches at home without conceding a goal.
• The United Arab Emirates have lost only one of their last ten World Cup qualifying matches at home (W6 D3).
• Uzbekistan have lost only one of their previous 14 matches in the current World Cup qualifying campaign (W9 D4).
• Abbosbek Fayzullayev has scored four goals in Uzbekistan’s last four World Cup qualifying matches.

UAE vs Uzbekistan Prediction

The United Arab Emirates, under the management of former Sharjah boss Cosmin Olaroiu, who recently replaced Paulo Bento, begin the match day sitting four points behind the top two and the automatic qualifying spots in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Uzbekistan are the team in second with the Uzbeks continuing their overall footballing development now at senior level, with Timur Kapadze at the helm. 

The UAE most recently defeated North Korea by two goals to one during the March international break, meaning they have suffered just two defeats in their last seven matches. Uzbekistan’s squad boasts some pedigree now with the likes of Abdukodir Khusanov and Eldor Shomurodov.

The UAE have to win this one at the Al Nahyan Stadium and they will take the game to the Uzbeks but it is expected to be a reasonably entertaining encounter in which both teams scoring seems a good bet.

UAE vs Uzbekistan Tip: Both teams to score