News about football: events, facts and developments on tafs uz.
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In matchday 25 of the Uzbekistan Super League, «Neftchi» beat «Pakhtakor» 3:1 in Tashkent. After this victory, the gap between the teams fighting for the championship reached 5 points, with 5 rounds remaining in the season.
Sevara AzamovaActing director of the Middle East and North Africa Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maxim Maximov announced plans to hold a friendly match between the national teams of Russia and Saudi Arabia. The game is timed to the centenary of diplomatic relations. The date and venue have not yet been announced.
Javlon TursunovArgentine footballer Lionel Messi arrived in Oviedo, where on Friday, 23 October, he was presented with the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports. The award was presented by the heiress to the Spanish throne, Princess Leonor, to the 39-year-old Inter Miami player, whom the jury named 'the most successful footballer of all time'. The ceremony took place at the Campoamor Theatre, attended by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia.
Sevara AzamovaSochi president and owner Boris Rotenberg said he follows the performances of Russian national team midfielder Alexey Batrakov at Istanbul's Galatasaray and rates his play highly. Batrakov moved to the Turkish club from Lokomotiv in August, and on October 13 scored a goal in a Champions League match against Barcelona.
Sevara AzamovaOn October 22, the FIFA Council Bureau approved the dates of the 2027 U-20 youth World Cup, to be co-hosted by Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan: the tournament will run from September 17 to October 9, with 24 national teams taking part. Preliminary fan registration for tickets is open; prices and sales dates have not been announced. The tournament will be the 25th in history and is timed to the 50th anniversary of the first edition in 1977.
Sevara AzamovaThe Football Association of Uzbekistan announced that the national team under Fabio Cannavaro will play a friendly match against Saudi Arabia on November 17 in Doha. Kick-off is at 20:30 Tashkent time. Earlier, a friendly match against Russia on November 12 in Tashkent was announced.
Javlon TursunovRussia national team head coach Valery Karpin told Match TV that as a child he wanted to play hockey, but later switched to football. He also noted that athletes' lives after retirement turn out differently. In November, the Russia national team will play friendlies against Uzbekistan and Venezuela.
Javlon TursunovIn the third matchday of the Champions League league phase, Norwegian Bodø/Glimt with Russian goalkeeper Nikita Haikin lost to Napoli 3:4 in Naples. Scott McTominay scored a brace, while Hauge, Helmersen and Fet scored for the Norwegians, and there was also an own goal. For Napoli it was their first win of the campaign.
Javlon TursunovThe International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) has published its annual ranking of clubs that develop young footballers. First place, as in 2025, went to Lisbon's Benfica with 101.3 points. The top 10 also included River Plate, Boca Juniors, Ajax, Barcelona, Real Madrid and other clubs.
Sevara AzamovaFormer Moscow Lokomotiv forward Oleg Garin died on October 20 at the age of 60. The farewell ceremony will take place in Nakhodka — the city where he was born and began his career. The press service of SKA-Khabarovsk told TASS about the organization of the ceremony. Garin won the Russian Cup twice and remains Lokomotiv's record holder for goals in a season.
Sevara AzamovaIn Matchday 3 of the league phase of the Champions League, Fenerbahce led 2:0 at Sukru Saracoglu after goals from Oguz Aydin and Mason Greenwood, but Slavia managed to fight back. Gendouzi's error led to Lukas Provod's goal, and in the 90th minute substitute Pavel Kachor equalized. Fenerbahce now have two points from three matches, Slavia have their first point.
Bekzod NazarovOn October 20, a list of ten candidates for the new award 'Ballon d'Or of All Time' (B.O.A.T.) was announced. Alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, it includes Di Stéfano, Cruyff, Beckenbauer, Keegan, Rummenigge, Platini, van Basten and the Brazilian Ronaldo. Under France Football's criteria, only footballers who have won the Ballon d'Or at least twice can compete, which is why Pelé and Maradona are not on the list. The winner is determined by a fan vote.
Sevara AzamovaThe reigning champion and Super League leader Neftchi unexpectedly lost at home to Tashkent's Lokomotiv 2:4 in the quarterfinal of the Uzbekistan Cup. All goals were scored in the first half. Lokomotiv will face Andijan in the semifinal, while OKMK will play the winner of the Navbahor — Gazalkent tie.
Javlon TursunovThe Turkish Football Federation has appointed Englishman Anthony Taylor as chairman of the Central Refereeing Committee (MHK). He became the first foreigner in this position. Joining him on the committee are Alan Snoddy, Igor Radojcic and Baris Simsek.
Bekzod NazarovThe Turkish Football Federation announced the appointment of Sergen Yalçın as head coach of the national team. He replaced Vincenzo Montella, who left the post after an unsuccessful performance at the 2026 World Cup and a series of defeats in the Nations League. Yalçın signed a four-year contract and became the 48th coach in the team's history.
Bekzod NazarovThe Football Association of Uzbekistan announced that the national team will play a friendly match against Russia on November 12 at the Pakhtakor stadium in Tashkent as part of the FIFA days. This will be the second meeting between the teams: the previous one in November 2022 ended in a 0:0 draw. The match will be part of Uzbekistan's preparation for the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.
Javlon TursunovIn the matchday 8 fixture of the Turkish Super Lig, Trabzonspor defeated Besiktas 2:0 at Papara Park. The goals were scored by Ozan Tufan and Mohamed Salah, for whom this was his eighth goal of the season. Trabzonspor moved up to fourth place, Besiktas dropped to fifth.
Bekzod NazarovUEFA sent a letter to FIFA president Gianni Infantino demanding that by 2 November he provide documents and answer questions about the governance of the organisation, BBC Sport reports. The questions concern the FFE proposal, the FIFA Peace Prize and the lifting of the suspension of Folarin Balogun.
Bekzod Nazarov
