After a painful defeat in Houston, Uzbek national team fans embarked on a 12-hour journey to Atlanta for the decisive group stage match against Congo. The road was long, but the fans were determined to support their team.

The driver, a fellow Uzbek, was en route to North Carolina but made a detour to Texas to cheer for the national team. His truck is equipped with a bed, microwave, and a freezer stocked with shashlik and kazan-kebab. "You see how hard the life of a truck driver is," he repeatedly says.

Atlanta greeted the fans early in the morning. The city is immersed in football: billboards, shop windows, and city screens all dedicated to the tournament. The infrastructure around the Mercedes-Benz Stadium is convenient, with a 15-minute walk from downtown.

At the fan festival, the Uzbek delegation showcases the country through football and its rich cultural heritage. Visitors can meet people from the most unexpected places. For instance, Baatar from Mongolia, who has been a fan of Uzbekistan since 1994, when he witnessed the team's victory at the Asian Games.

The World Cup is not just about goals and victories; it's also about human connections. Encounters with people like Mariama and Baatar highlight the true value of the tournament beyond the pitch.

Source: www.gazeta.uz