That’s a great question and honestly, it frustrates a lot of people here. Even though the government supports football, that doesn’t magically mean we’ll qualify for the World Cup every cycle. The truth is, government money can help build stadiums and fund youth programs, but winning on the field takes more than just money – you need talent, smart coaching, and sometimes just good luck!

I remember everyone getting super excited after beating Japan away during the 2014 qualifiers, thinking we’d finally make it. But then, bam, we missed out by just one goal or lost on penalties to Jordan. I’ve seen a lot of drama and heartbreak with these qualifications. To me, no matter what the government does, it’s still up to the players and coaches once they step on the field. Sometimes it feels like Uzbekistan is cursed or something, but I think with all the investment, it’s only a matter of time before we qualify more often. Until then, we just keep hoping and cheering, even if it’s stressful!