With just three days to go before the FIFA Futsal World Cup kicks off, host country Uzbekistan is all set to leave what it hopes will be a legacy for future generations.

The event itself is historic as it’s the first time a Futsal World Cup is being held in Central Asia.

The head of Uzbekistan Football Association’s (UFA) Competitions and Events Department and project manager for the Uzbekistan World Cup committee, Mukhammad Sodik Sadik-Akhunov, said this week that his country is “well prepared” for the event.

“Uzbekistan has invested in modernizing and expanding its sporting infrastructure, including state-of-the-art futsal arenas and training facilities. These investments ensure that the country is well-prepared to host the FIFA Futsal World Cup and provide ongoing support for the sport’s development post-tournament.

“The UFA has also established programmes to maintain and utilize these facilities for future competitions and training purposes,” he said.

The competition, which gets underway on Saturday 14 September and comes to an end on Sunday 6 October, will highlight just how hard the UFA have been working over the last few years, with FIFA also playing a key role.

Through its FIFA Forward 1.0 and 2.0 programmes, world football’s governing body has contributed to the modernisation of Uzbekistan by funding the construction of pitches and the renovation of the stadium and stands at the UFA Technical Centre in Tashkent as well as installation of floodlights sufficient for international matches.

There is also a technical center that can now host matches and provide accommodation for youth teams, as well as offering facilities for meetings and theory sessions for players.

It is a legacy for future generations that FIFA and the UFA have worked hand in hand to create and from which futsal will also benefit.

“The UFA intends to leave a legacy of enhanced futsal infrastructure, increased grassroots participation, and heightened awareness of the sport. By hosting the FIFA Futsal World Cup, the UFA hopes to establish a robust framework for the development of futsal, ensuring that it remains a prominent sport in Uzbekistan for years to come,” said Sadik-Akhunov.

On his country’s team, he said: “We want to go as far as we possibly can in the tournament and we aspire to showcase Uzbekistan’s talent on the global stage, promote the sport of futsal within the country, and inspire the next generation of players.

“Hosting the FIFA Futsal World Cup provides an opportunity to elevate the sport’s profile and demonstrate Uzbekistan’s capabilities in organizing major international events,” said Sadik-Akhunov.

Twenty-four teams will take part in the 10th FIFA Futsal World Championship in Uzbekistan, with Afghanistan, Tajikistan, New Zealand and France making their debut and Portugal defending the title they won three years ago in Lithuania.

For Afghanistan, who are already in Tashkent, their first match will be against Angola on Sunday 15 September.

Ariana Television Network has the legal rights to broadcast this exciting event live in Afghanistan, so fans around the country can start tuning in from Friday.