Sport Diplomacy of Uzbekistan: The Global Integration Process of The Football Federation (1992–2025)
Abstract
This article examines the global integration of Uzbekistan's football during the years of independence through the prisms of sports diplomacy and institutional transformation. The study analyzes the formation of the national governing body after 1991, its membership in FIFA and the AFC, and its strategic global standing by 2025 using a legal-documentary approach. Football is interpreted as a "soft power" tool that enhances Uzbekistan's international political prestige. The research highlights the legal foundations of the federation's establishment in 1992, the reforms initiated by the 2009 government decree, and its rebranding as the Uzbekistan Football Association (UFA) on January 25, 2018. Furthermore, the creation of CAFA in 2015 and the historic qualification for the FIFA World Cup in 2025 are analyzed from a cause-and-effect perspective. The success of sports diplomacy is attributed to state support, economic investments, and the alignment of national legislation with international standards. The article concludes with practical recommendations for the development of the national sports brand.