PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Khojiakbar Ulugbek ugli Alijonov |
| Date of Birth | 19/04/1997 (Age: 29) |
| Place of Birth | — |
| Nationality | Uzbek |
| Height | 1.77–1.80 m / 5 ft 10 in |
| Weight | 68 kg |
| Position | Right-Back / Defender |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | — |
| Current Club | Pakhtakor |
| Previous Clubs | Pakhtakor-2 |
| International Caps | 42+ |
| International Goals | 2 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | 2027 |
| Market Value | — |
The Frozen Moment
The 2026 World Cup in North America marked a historic milestone for Uzbekistan—the nation’s debut on football’s biggest stage. For Khojiakbar Alijonov, the 29-year-old right-back who had spent his entire professional career at Pakhtakor, the tournament was the culmination of a journey that had begun almost a decade earlier.
Alijonov was named in Fabio Cannavaro’s 26-man Uzbekistan squad for the tournament, one of ten defenders selected. He made his World Cup debut against England on June 15, 2026, starting the match and playing 90 minutes. Just days earlier, he had been recovering from a calf injury that had kept him out of action in early June.
For the right-back who had made his international debut in 2019 and had been a mainstay of the Uzbek defence through World Cup qualifying and the Asian Cup, the World Cup was the pinnacle of a career defined by loyalty and consistency. Despite Uzbekistan being eliminated in the group stage, Alijonov’s presence on the global stage was a testament to his enduring quality.
Origins
Born on April 19, 1997, Khojiakbar Alijonov began his football journey at Pakhtakor, Uzbekistan’s most successful club. He progressed through the ranks, spending time with Pakhtakor-2 in 2015 before making his senior breakthrough. His professional career has been defined by loyalty—he has remained at Pakhtakor for his entire senior career, a rare feat in modern football.
Alijonov made his debut for the Uzbekistan national team on June 7, 2019, in a 4-0 friendly victory over North Korea. He has since become a mainstay of the national team setup, accumulating 42 caps.
The European Forge
Pakhtakor (2016-Present):
Alijonov made his senior debut for Pakhtakor in 2016 and has remained at the club ever since. In February 2026, Pakhtakor announced they had extended his contract until the end of the 2027 season, a testament to his value to the club. By the end of the 2026 season, he had made 180 league appearances for the club, scoring nine goals. Across all competitions, his total appearances for Pakhtakor stood at 235, with 11 goals.
In the 2026 Uzbek Super League season, Alijonov made 13 appearances, playing 1,118 minutes and scoring one goal. He also featured in the Super Cup, playing 90 minutes.
Uzbekistan National Team (2019-Present):
Alijonov has been a consistent presence for Uzbekistan since his debut in 2019. He has accumulated 42 caps and scored two goals for his country. He has represented Uzbekistan in World Cup qualifying, the Asian Cup, and international friendlies.
At the 2026 World Cup, Alijonov made two appearances, playing 135 minutes. He started against England, playing 90 minutes, and featured in Uzbekistan’s Round of 32 clash against Argentina, coming on as a substitute.
The Anatomy of His Game
Khojiakbar Alijonov is a right-back known for his defensive solidity, consistency, and loyalty to his club. Standing at 177–180 cm, he combines defensive awareness with the ability to contribute in attacking phases.
In Possession:
Alijonov is a composed passer who contributes to build-up play. Across his career, he has accumulated nine league goals and two international goals, demonstrating his ability to contribute in attacking phases. In continental competitions, he has scored twice in 36 appearances.
Out of Possession:
Alijonov’s defensive work is his primary strength. He has accumulated 21 yellow cards and 2 red cards in his league career, reflecting his combative approach. He is a reliable presence in the backline and has been a key figure in Uzbekistan’s defensive structure.
Psychological Edge:
Alijonov’s career is defined by loyalty and consistency. He has spent his entire professional career at Pakhtakor, a rare feat in modern football. His ability to recover from a calf injury just days before the World Cup and still start against England demonstrates his resilience and commitment.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season & World Cup)
| Competition | Apps | Starts | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uzbek Super League | 13 | 13 | 1,118 | 1 | 0 | 1Y 0R |
| Super Cup | 1 | 1 | 90 | 0 | 0 | — |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 2 | 1 | 135 | 0 | 0 | — |
| TOTAL | 16 | 15 | 1,343 | 1 | 0 | — |
TABLE B: Career Overview
| Season/Period | Club | League/Competition | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-2026 | Pakhtakor | Uzbek Super League | 180 | 9 |
| 2019-2026 | Uzbekistan | International | 42 | 2 |
| TOTAL (All Competitions) | — | — | 235 | 11 |
TABLE C: International Record
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Goals | Major Honours |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 2 | 0 | — |
| World Cup Qualifying | 19 | 1 | Qualified |
| AFC Asian Cup | 1 | 0 | — |
| Friendlies | 30 | 2 | — |
| Uzbekistan Senior Career | 42+ | 2 | — |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Senior Debut | Pakhtakor |
| 2019 | Uzbekistan Debut | vs North Korea |
| 2024 | Long Service | Over 150 league appearances for Pakhtakor |
| 2026 | Contract Extension | Extended with Pakhtakor until 2027 |
| 2026 | World Cup Selection | Named in Uzbekistan squad |
| 2026 | World Cup Debut | Started vs England |
What these figures reveal is a player of remarkable loyalty and consistency. Alijonov has spent his entire professional career at Pakhtakor, making 180 league appearances and scoring nine goals. His 42 caps for Uzbekistan and his World Cup appearances at age 29 demonstrate his importance to the national team.
The Present Tense
Khojiakbar Alijonov is 29 years old and at the peak of his career. He is a key player for Pakhtakor and a member of Uzbekistan’s historic World Cup squad.
The Pakhtakor Story:
Alijonov has been at Pakhtakor since his debut in 2016 and has become one of the club’s most loyal servants. In February 2026, he extended his contract until the end of the 2027 season. In the 2026 Uzbek Super League season, he made 13 appearances, scoring one goal. He has made 235 appearances across all competitions for the club, scoring 11 goals.
The World Cup Campaign:
Alijonov was named in Uzbekistan’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, the nation’s debut at the tournament. He recovered from a calf injury sustained in early June to feature in the tournament. He made two appearances, playing 135 minutes—90 minutes against England and 45 minutes against Argentina. Uzbekistan were eliminated in the group stage.
International Record:
Alijonov has earned 42 caps for Uzbekistan since his debut in 2019. He has scored two international goals for his country. He has represented Uzbekistan in World Cup qualifying, the AFC Asian Cup, and the World Cup finals.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Khojiakbar Alijonov is a symbol of loyalty and consistency in Uzbek football. His decision to remain at Pakhtakor for his entire career is a rare feat in modern football, and his extension until 2027 reflects the club’s faith in his abilities.
His journey from Pakhtakor's youth ranks to the World Cup is a testament to his perseverance and dedication. His recovery from a calf injury just days before the tournament to start against England demonstrates his commitment to his country.
The Verdict from the Camp
Fabio Cannavaro, Uzbekistan head coach:
Cannavaro selected Alijonov in Uzbekistan’s 26-man World Cup squad, naming him as one of ten defenders in the squad.
Opta Analyst:
Alijonov has made 179 appearances for Pakhtakor, accumulating 14,368 minutes and receiving 21 yellow cards.
worldfootball.net:
Alijonov played 135 minutes at the 2026 World Cup, starting against England and coming on as a substitute against Argentina.
Statistic:
Alijonov has made 235 appearances for Pakhtakor across all competitions, scoring 11 goals.
Statistic:
Alijonov has earned 42 caps for Uzbekistan since his debut in 2019.
Statistic:
Alijonov extended his contract with Pakhtakor until the end of the 2027 season in February 2026.
Where Next?
Khojiakbar Alijonov is 29 years old and has secured his future with Pakhtakor until 2027. His loyalty to the club and his consistent performances have made him a key figure in Uzbek football. His World Cup experience has added to his international pedigree.
For Uzbekistan, Alijonov remains a valuable defensive option. With 42 caps and a World Cup campaign under his belt, he brings experience and reliability to the national team. The next chapter of his career, at Pakhtakor, will likely see him continue to be a cornerstone of the club’s defence and a regular presence for the national team as Uzbekistan builds toward future tournaments.
