World Cup drives sharp rise in Google searches for Uzbekistan

Due to Uzbekistan national team’s participation in the 2026 World Cup, the number of Google searches for the keyword “Uzbekistan” increased by 450%. Furqat Siddikov, Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to the United States, announced this on his X social media page.

According to the ambassador, the main factor behind this sharp increase was the Uzbekistan national team’s first-ever participation in the World Cup. The team’s matches at the tournament drew international attention to the country, which was also reflected in online search statistics.

According to experts, major sporting events not only showcase teams’ sporting achievements but also serve as an important tool for promoting a country’s tourism potential, culture and international image.

Earlier, it was reported that Uzbekistan national team participated in the 2026 World Cup for the first time. The team faced Colombia, Portugal and the Democratic Republic of Congo in the group stage and ended its campaign with zero points after losing all three matches.