PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Oston Rustam oʻgʻli Urunov |
| Date of Birth | 19 December 2000 (Age: 25) |
| Place of Birth | Navoiy, Uzbekistan |
| Nationality | Uzbek |
| Height | 1.81 m / 5 ft 11 in |
| Weight | 82 kg |
| Position | Attacking Midfielder / Winger |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #70 (Persepolis), #20 (Uzbekistan) |
| Current Club | Persepolis FC |
| Previous Clubs | Navbahor Namangan, Lokomotiv Tashkent, Ufa, Spartak Moscow, Ural Yekaterinburg |
| International Caps | 46 |
| International Goals | 10 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | June 2027 |
| Market Value | €1.5M |
The Frozen Moment
The Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. June 17, 2026. Uzbekistan and Colombia were locked in a World Cup group-stage clash, and the White Wolves were chasing history in their first-ever World Cup appearance. Oston Urunov, the 25-year-old attacking midfielder, took to the pitch in the 46th minute, becoming part of Uzbekistan’s historic moment.
Uzbekistan had already made history just by qualifying—the nation’s first World Cup finals appearance. At the tournament itself, Urunov was named in Fabio Cannavaro’s 26-man squad. He featured in two of Uzbekistan’s group-stage matches, accumulating 63 minutes of tournament football.
In the match against Colombia, Urunov came on as a substitute as Uzbekistan battled the South American side. Colombia took the lead through Daniel Muñoz in the 41st minute, but Uzbekistan equalised in the 60th minute through Abbosbek Fayzullayev—the nation’s first-ever World Cup goal. Urunov played his part in the historic campaign, helping the White Wolves compete on the biggest stage of all.
Origins
Oston Rustam oʻgʻli Urunov was born on 19 December 2000 in Navoiy, Uzbekistan. Standing at 1.81 metres and weighing approximately 82 kilograms, he is a right-footed attacking midfielder or winger.
His football journey began at a young age. He played for the youth teams of Navoi (2010-2011) before joining the Pakhtakor Tashkent academy (2011-2017). His development through Uzbekistan’s football system laid the foundation for a career that would take him across multiple countries and continents.
The Professional Forge
Early Career in Uzbekistan (2017-2020):
Urunov’s senior career began in 2017 with Pakhtakor Tashkent, though he did not make a league appearance for the club. He was loaned to Navbahor Namangan in 2017, making nine appearances and scoring one goal. He returned to Navbahor for the 2018-2019 seasons, making 42 league appearances and scoring two goals. In 2019, he moved to Lokomotiv Tashkent, making 13 appearances and scoring one goal. In total, he played 55 matches in the Uzbekistan Super League during his early career.
Russian Adventure (2020-2022):
On 10 February 2020, Urunov signed a long-term contract with Russian Premier League club Ufa. He made 10 appearances for Ufa before being signed by Spartak Moscow on 5 August 2020. His time at Spartak was limited—he made just eight appearances for the senior side. He was loaned back to Ufa for the 2021-22 season, making 24 appearances. In the 2021-22 season, he played 16 matches across the season, accumulating 880 minutes. On 2 September 2022, Urunov’s contract with Spartak was terminated by mutual consent, and he signed with Ural Yekaterinburg the same day. However, on 25 October 2022, Ural terminated his contract by mutual consent.
Return to Uzbekistan & Move to Iran (2023-Present):
Urunov returned to Uzbekistan in 2023, signing with Navbahor Namangan. He made 25 league appearances, scoring 9 goals and providing 2 assists. His performances in Uzbekistan earned him a move to Iranian giants Persepolis.
On 7 February 2024, Urunov joined Persian Gulf Pro League champions Persepolis on an 18-month deal. He scored his first goal for the club in a 4-2 victory over Foolad on 8 March 2024. By the time of the 2026 World Cup, he had made 53 league appearances for Persepolis, scoring 13 goals.
On 2 January 2025, Urunov signed a new two-year contract with Persepolis, extending his commitment until June 2027. He expressed his happiness: “I had offers from numerous clubs but Persepolis has been like a home to me, and the fans have been great. That’s why I decided to sign the extension.” His time at Persepolis has been impacted by groin and hamstring injuries that have ruled him out of several matches. His market value is estimated at €1.5 million.
International Career
Debut & Rise:
Urunov made his international debut for Uzbekistan on 2 June 2019 in a friendly against Turkey. He scored his first international goal on 11 June 2022 against Maldives in AFC Asian Cup qualification. By the 2026 World Cup, he had earned 46 caps and scored 10 international goals.
Olympic Appearance:
Urunov represented Uzbekistan at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, making three appearances for the Olympic team.
2026 World Cup Campaign:
On 2 June 2026, Urunov was included in the 26-man squad selected by head coach Fabio Cannavaro for the 2026 FIFA World Cup—Uzbekistan’s first-ever appearance in the tournament. He featured in two of Uzbekistan’s group-stage matches, accumulating 63 minutes of tournament football and earning a 5.92 WhoScored rating. Uzbekistan faced Colombia, Portugal, and DR Congo in their group. In the match against Colombia, Urunov came on as a substitute as Uzbekistan recorded their first-ever World Cup goal through Abbosbek Fayzullayev. The team was eliminated in the group stage.
International Record:
Urunov has earned 46 caps for Uzbekistan and scored 10 international goals.
The Anatomy of His Game
Urunov is a right-footed attacking midfielder known for his exceptional dribbling skills, creativity, and ability to operate as a winger or central attacking midfielder. He has been described as a “wizard winger.”
In Possession:
Urunov is a creative force in the final third. He has scored 13 goals in 53 appearances for Persepolis and has contributed to Uzbekistan’s attacking output with 10 goals in 46 caps. His dribbling ability is his standout attribute, allowing him to beat defenders and create chances.
Out of Possession:
Urunov contributes to his team’s pressing game with his work rate. His defensive contributions have been noted, though his primary value lies in attacking phases.
Psychological Edge:
Urunov’s career is defined by resilience. He has played in Uzbekistan, Russia, and Iran, adapting to different leagues and styles. His commitment to Persepolis, where he has signed a contract extension, demonstrates his loyalty and professionalism.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: 2025/26 Season Snapshot (Persepolis)
| Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Persian Gulf Pro League | 54 | 13 | — |
TABLE B: International Record
| Competition | Apps | Goals | Major Honours |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 2 | 0 | — |
| Uzbekistan Senior Career | 46 | 10 | — |
| Uzbekistan Olympic Team | 3 | 0 | — |
TABLE C: Career Achievements
| Honour | Details |
|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup Participant | 2026 (Uzbekistan) |
| Olympic Games Participant | 2024 (Uzbekistan) |
| Contract Extension | Persepolis until 2027 |
| Career Goals | 10 international goals |
What these figures reveal is a player who has been a consistent performer in Iran and an important figure for Uzbekistan. His 46 caps and 10 goals demonstrate his value to the national team, while his 54 appearances and 13 goals for Persepolis reflect his attacking output at club level. His World Cup selection was a historic moment for Uzbekistan.
The Present Tense
Oston Urunov is 25 years old and at a defining stage of his career. He is a midfielder for Persepolis in the Persian Gulf Pro League and a World Cup squad member for Uzbekistan.
The Persepolis Story:
Urunov joined Persepolis in February 2024 and has become an important player for the club. He has made 53 league appearances, scoring 13 goals. He signed a contract extension in January 2025 until June 2027. His time at the club has been impacted by injuries, including groin and hamstring issues.
The World Cup Campaign:
Urunov was selected in Uzbekistan’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, the nation’s first-ever appearance in the tournament. He made two appearances, accumulating 63 minutes of tournament football. Uzbekistan faced Colombia, Portugal, and DR Congo in the group stage, scoring their first-ever World Cup goal in the match against Colombia.
International Record:
Urunov has earned 46 caps for Uzbekistan since his debut in 2019. He has scored 10 international goals.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Urunov’s journey is defined by his commitment to Persepolis and his pride in representing Uzbekistan at the World Cup. Born in Navoiy, he has played in Uzbekistan, Russia, and Iran, building a career that has taken him across continents.
His extension with Persepolis until 2027 reflects his connection to the club. “Persepolis has been like a home to me, and the fans have been great,” he said. The club’s supporters were thrilled by the news after Persepolis had struggled to find a replacement for another winger.
The Verdict from the Camp
Fabio Cannavaro, Uzbekistan Head Coach:
Cannavaro selected Urunov for the 2026 World Cup squad, making him part of Uzbekistan’s historic first-ever World Cup campaign.
Oston Urunov:
“I had offers from numerous clubs but Persepolis has been like a home to me, and the fans have been great. That’s why I decided to sign the extension.”
Where Next?
Oston Urunov is 25 years old and under contract with Persepolis until June 2027. His World Cup experience has elevated his profile significantly. He is expected to continue as a key player for Persepolis and to compete for a place in Uzbekistan’s national team.
For Uzbekistan, Urunov is an important attacking option. With 46 caps and World Cup experience, he is one of the most experienced players in the squad. At 25, he is entering his prime years and could become a more regular fixture in the national team setup.
From Navoiy to Pakhtakor, from Russia to Iran, and from the World Cup to the future, Oston Urunov’s journey is a story of resilience, adaptability, and achievement. The boy from Navoiy who dreamed of the World Cup is now a World Cup player—and a symbol of Uzbekistan’s historic rise to the global stage.
