Xushnudbek Khudoyberdiyev's pre-match thoughts: If we are lucky, 0:0, if not...

You are aware that today the Uzbekistan national team will play against the Iran national team as part of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Ahead of this match, we were interested in the predictions of the football community, as well as representatives from other fields considered public figures regarding the match.

Below you can familiarize yourself with the pre-match thoughts of lawyer, blogger, and director of the National Mass Media Support and Development Public Fund, Xushnudbek Xudoyberdiyev.

- Do you believe our national team will win tomorrow's match?
- I don't believe it, but I hope and pray.

- How do you think the game will unfold?
- Very difficult. I think it will be the toughest game in the qualifying stage. First of all, Iran wants to secure a World Cup spot with a significant victory in front of their fans. Therefore, even if they are leading 1:0, they will likely continue to attack. Secondly, Iran sees us as a principled rival; regardless of the significance and level of the competition, they always play uncompromisingly against us.

- What score do you predict and who will score?
- If we are lucky, we will maintain a 0:0 draw. If we are not lucky, it could be 2:0 or 3:0. I hope we are lucky.

- A more general question. How do you assess our team's chances of finishing second and qualifying for the World Cup?
- 60%. I am surprised that some publications are rating Uzbekistan's chances above 90%. If we look at the situation realistically, we do not have such a high chance. For example, like Iran, even a single draw or even a single win may not be enough to take us to the World Cup. Importantly, after the 8th round, our chances may decrease instead of increase. For instance, if we lose to Iran and the UAE and Qatar win, our chances drop to 50%. If, God forbid, we also lose to the UAE, it could drop to 20-25%. In short, we have three very difficult games ahead of us.