The Central Bank of Uzbekistan will issue special commemorative coins to mark the national football team's historic, first-ever participation in the 2026 World Cup.
According to the Central Bank's press service, the team's qualification for the World Cup is "one of the most significant milestones in the history of the country's sports." To immortalize this achievement, commemorative coins have been minted from pure 999.9 fine gold and silver.
Weighing 31.1 grams each, the coins will have a highly limited run: only 100 gold and 1,000 silver pieces will be made available. They will go on sale starting June 18 across 690 commercial bank branches. Daily updates regarding pricing and availability will be posted on the Central Bank’s official website and social media channels.
The obverse side features the Uzbekistan Football Association logo, a classic football, and the inscription: "Tarixiy zafar. O‘zbekiston futboli jahon chempionatida — 2026" ("Historic Victory. Uzbek Football at the 2026 World Cup"). The outer rim reads "O‘zbekiston Respublikasi Markaziy Banki," with the denomination "100 000 so‘m" at the bottom. Designers note that these elements symbolize the national team’s maiden ticket to the tournament and a brand-new chapter for football in Uzbekistan.
The design also honors the team's official moniker, the White Wolves (Oq Bo‘rilar). The reverse side features the silhouette of a wolf, which the Central Bank highlighted as a symbol of "courage, team spirit, and the unyielding character of the players."
According to the design concept, the wolf’s silhouette is uniquely composed of 26 football player figures, including three goalkeepers. This artistic choice emphasizes that this historic achievement was won through collective unity and the hard work of the entire squad.
Adding to the cultural depth, the coin incorporates patterns from the national team’s uniform. Inspired by carvings found on the walls of ancient monuments, these motifs reflect the country's rich history and cultural heritage. The Central Bank noted that this approach seamlessly blends football, national pride, and ancestral legacy into a single, cohesive composition.
A custom display box has been designed for the coins. Finished in green with lines mirroring a football pitch, the box places the coin perfectly in the center circle.
The Central Bank emphasized that due to their limited mintage, these coins hold exceptional artistic and numismatic collector value.
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