Uzbekistan’s biggest football star is in the neighborhood. Eldor Shomurodov, the striker and captain leading his country into its historic first FIFA World Cup, was spotted in Teaneck, New Jersey, where the national team stayed ahead of the tournament — and one longtime friend of the Bukharian community managed to meet him in person.
Frank Muradov, CEO of 44 Oak Capital, visited the team’s hotel with his two children this past Saturday, June 6, after learning of the squad’s whereabouts through his personal contacts in the Uzbek community — the kind of insider connections built over decades of friendship and involvement. The result: a memorable photo with one of Central Asia’s biggest sporting celebrities.
(Muradov was founder and president of Uzbek Initiative, a community organization I volunteered with in New York City from 2007-2010, and through which I met The Bukharian Times Editor-in-Chief Rafael Nektalov.)
Shomurodov is no small name. He currently plays for Başakşehir in Istanbul, where he finished as one of the top goal scorers in the Turkish Süper Lig this season. Before Turkey, he built an impressive career in Italy’s Serie A, with an extensive spell at AS Roma and stints at Genoa, Spezia and Cagliari. Joining him on the squad is rising star Abdukodir Khusanov, a young defender for Manchester City, and forward Abbosbek Fayzullaev, Shomurodov’s teammate at Başakşehir.
Perhaps the biggest name of all stands on the sideline: head coach Fabio Cannavaro, the legendary Italian defender who captained Italy to the 2006 World Cup title and won the Ballon d’Or that same year. Fittingly, Cannavaro has history in Atlanta — he played for Italy at the 1996 Olympic Games there.
“A Victory for the Region” Before the First Whistle
Uzbekistan’s qualification is historic on multiple fronts. It is the only nation from the former Soviet Union — and the only country from Central and South Asia — to qualify for the expanded 48-team World Cup, which is being played on home turf for millions of Uzbek and Bukharian immigrants across America.
«Even without them winning anything or losing anything, it’s already a big victory for our nation,» Muradov said. «It’s a victory for the entire region. It’s a very elite group to be part of the World Cup. It’s a big deal.»
Atlanta: Uzbekistan’s American Home
Atlanta has been named the official host city for the Uzbekistan team — a fitting choice given the city’s sizable Uzbek and Bukharian community. The squad arrived in Atlanta on Tuesday, June 9, according to Muradov, after flying in from New York. On June 10, they headed to the Atlanta United training facility in Marietta, where they hosted a community training session featuring a skills challenge, a photo and autograph session, and a public viewing of the team’s first training session.
The city is already buzzing with Uzbek cultural events, from plov feasts to traditional celebrations, as fans from across the country — including large groups from the Washington, D.C. area — make plans to converge on Georgia.
The Group-Stage Schedule
Uzbekistan opens its World Cup campaign against Colombia on June 17 in Mexico City, then faces Portugal on June 23 in Houston, before its final group-stage match against DR Congo on June 27 in Atlanta.
Muradov will be there for the Atlanta match, flying in with his son Tim to join hundreds of fellow fans for the 30-minute walk to the stadium amid horns, flags and team colors — followed, naturally, by a celebration at a local Uzbek restaurant.
«I’m very proud, very happy,» he said. «Being here on a global stage — it’s a freaking big deal.»
For a tiny nation making its World Cup debut, the tournament has already delivered its first win: the pride of a community seeing its flag on the world’s biggest stage, right here in America.
By Erin Levi
