The second edition of the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 concluded with great success, delivering two weeks of exciting football, regional unity, and unforgettable moments. The tournament, held from 29 August to 8 September 2025, featured eight national teams across Tajikistan (Hisor Central Stadium) and Uzbekistan (Jar Stadium & Olympic Stadium in Tashkent).
Over the course of 12 group stage matches, one third-place play-off, and the grand final, supporters witnessed 32 goals, 14 competitive matches, and passionate support from the stands, highlighting the growing strength of football in Central Asia.
Group Stage Highlights
- Match Day 1 – Group B (Hisor, 29 August)
- IR Iran 3–1 Afghanistan
- Tajikistan 1–2 India
- Match Day 2 – Group A (Tashkent, 30 August)
- Kyrgyz Republic 1–1 Turkmenistan
- Uzbekistan 1–1 Oman
- Match Day 3 – Group B (Hisor, 1 September)
- India 0–3 IR Iran
- Afghanistan 0–2 Tajikistan
- Match Day 4 – Group A (Tashkent, 2 September)
- Oman 2–1 Kyrgyz Republic
- Turkmenistan 1–2 Uzbekistan
- Match Day 5 – Group B (Hisor, 4 September)
- Afghanistan 0–0 India
- Tajikistan 2–2 IR Iran
- Match Day 6 – Group A (Tashkent, 5 September)
- Turkmenistan 1–2 Oman
- Uzbekistan 4–0 Kyrgyz Republic
The group stage set the stage for an exciting knockout phase, with Uzbekistan, IR Iran, India, and Oman advancing.
Final Stage
- Third Place Match (Hisor, 6 September)
- India 1–1 Oman (India won 3–2 on penalties)
- Final Match (Tashkent, 8 September)
- Uzbekistan 1–0 IR Iran
A dramatic late goal from Khojiakbar Alijonov secured Uzbekistan the championship title in front of a passionate home crowd at the Olympic Stadium.
- Uzbekistan 1–0 IR Iran
Individual and Team Awards
- Best Goalkeeper: Payam Niyazmand (IR Iran) – for his outstanding saves and leadership.
- Fair Play Award: Tajikistan National Team – for their exemplary sportsmanship and discipline.
- Top Goalscorers: Igor Sergeev (Uzbekistan) and Isaam Abdallah Al Sabhi (Oman) – with 3 goals each.
- Most Valuable Player (MVP): Khojiakbar Alijonov (Uzbekistan) – for his consistent performance and decisive goal in the final.
A Celebration of Football and Growth
The tournament not only provided a platform for competitive football but also showcased CAFA’s mission to develop and promote the game across the region. Stadiums were filled with passionate fans, while millions more followed through extensive broadcast and digital coverage, including FIFA+, FanCode, Setanta, and national broadcasters across Central Asia.
The success was also commercial and organisational, with strong sponsorship, branding, and media engagement marking another step forward for CAFA’s vision.
A highlight of the closing ceremony was the presence of FIFA President Gianni Infantino and President of Uzbekistan H.E. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who awarded the champions and runners-up. Their participation underlined the importance of CAFA’s work within the global football community.
“Tournaments like the CAFA Nations Cup offer teams valuable opportunities to compete and celebrate football. FIFA is proud to stand alongside CAFA in making this tournament a platform for growth, passion, and unforgettable moments,” – said FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström.
“We had a dream to make it happen. We have FIFA teams on site here in Tajikistan, in Uzbekistan. So, it’s very important for us that FIFA is backing us up. It means that our competition is becoming part of the worldwide football ecosystem” – said CAFA General Secretary Ulugbek Karimov.
Looking Ahead
The CAFA Nations Cup 2025 demonstrated the remarkable progress of football in the region and reaffirmed CAFA’s role in uniting Central Asia through the world’s most popular sport. With unforgettable matches, strong fan engagement, and global recognition, the tournament has set a high benchmark for future editions.