Uzbekistan will host the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) General Assembly on 26 January in Tashkent, with authorities using the occasion to outline recent developments in the country’s sporting structure and event-hosting capacity.

A statement released ahead of the Assembly pointed to a period of expanded international engagement, competitive results and infrastructure investment as evidence of the country’s growing role within regional and global sport. The statement said these efforts were part of a longer-term strategy aligned with national sports policy.

Competitive highlights include the national football team’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the first in the country’s history, following success at regional level. The statement also cited Uzbekistan’s 13th-place finish at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, along with medal performances at youth and para-sport events during 2025.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, commenting during a visit to Tashkent in 2025, described Uzbekistan as “a football nation that is implementing large-scale projects,” and noted the opening of the National Football Center.

Infrastructure projects completed during the past year include Olympic City, a multi-venue sports complex opened in August 2025. The site has been designated as the main hub for the 4th Asian Youth Games scheduled for 2029.

Otabek Umarov, First Vice President of the National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan and OCA Vice President for Central Asia, said recent outcomes reflected “the coordinated work of athletes, coaches, federations and specialists across the sports system.”

In addition to the upcoming OCA General Assembly, Uzbekistan has hosted several international sports meetings and competitions in recent years. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, following the FIA Annual General Assemblies in Tashkent in 2025, said the visit demonstrated “a clear focus on long-term development and youth.”

Looking ahead, Uzbek sports authorities confirmed that the 2026 calendar includes the World Triathlon Championship Series in Samarkand (25-26 April), the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand (15-28 September), and the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup in Tashkent (8-10 October).

[Source: ISSA] The Islamic Solidarity Sports Association (ISSA) will conduct a series of on-site inspection visits to Uzbekistan, Malaysia and Iran, following the official submission of their bids to host the 2029 Islamic Solidarity Games.

The visits represent a key milestone in the continued development of the Islamic Solidarity Games, as ISSA works to strengthen the event’s future and expand opportunities for countries to host major multi-sport events.

They also come as the countdown continues to the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games – Riyadh 2025, which will bring together athletes from 57 countries in a celebration of sport, unity and shared values.

ISSA Secretary General Nasser Majali welcomed the strong interest from the candidate countries, noting that it reflects the growing stature of the Islamic Solidarity Games and their increasing role in advancing sport at both regional and international levels.

“It is extremely encouraging to see three passionate and capable countries come forward to host the next edition of the Islamic Solidarity Games,” said Majali.

“These inspection visits represent a key phase in the evaluation process to ensure the Games are delivered to the highest standards for our athletes and National Olympic Committees, in full partnership with the host country.

“They also reaffirm ISSA’s commitment to enabling more member countries to benefit from hosting major international sports events and contributing to the continued development of sport across all regions.”

Following an initial evaluation process, six member countries submitted formal letters of interest to ISSA to host the next edition of the Islamic Solidarity Games. After further discussions and assessments, Uzbekistan, Malaysia and Iran proceeded to submit their full hosting bids.

The inspection visits are being led by the ISSA Secretary General, accompanied by members of the ISSA Sport Commission, to review the candidate countries’ facilities, infrastructure and organizational plans ahead of the final hosting decision.

The Riyadh 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games will welcome around 3,500 athletes from 57 countries, competing across 23 sports from 7 to 21 November 2025, marking the event’s return to Saudi Arabia two decades after the inaugural edition in 2005.