Uzbekistan began their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign with a convincing 1-3 away victory over Turkmenistan on November 16, 2023. The White Wolves demonstrated their superior quality in Ashgabat, coming from behind to secure a comfortable win in their Group E opener. Turkmenistan shocked the visitors by taking an early lead, sending the home crowd into raptures. Uzbekistan, however, remained composed and equalized before halftime to shift the momentum. The second half was all one-way traffic, as Uzbekistan's technical midfield took control, adding two more goals to put the match result beyond doubt. This away win immediately establishes Uzbekistan as the team to beat in the group and sets them on course for a strong qualification push. For Turkmenistan, the initial promise faded quickly, and they will need to regroup quickly for their next fixture.