On October 18, the national football team of Turkmenistan played the third test match within the framework of a training camp in Dubai.

The rival of Mergen Orazov’s team was the Emirati football club “Ajman”. The meeting ended with a score of 2:1 in favor of the home team. The only goal for the Turkmen team was scored by Arslan Amanov.

Within the framework of the training camp in Dubai, the Turkmenistan national team played three friendly matches. Earlier, Mergen Orazov’s team beat “Dubai United” (3:1) and lost to “Shabab Al-Ahli” (2:4).

It is worth noting that in the UAE, Turkmen football players were preparing for the matches of the second round of the 2026 World Cup qualifying tournament. In the qualifying tournament for the 2026 World Cup, the national team of Turkmenistan will play in group “E” with the teams of Iran, Uzbekistan and Hong Kong.

In total, within the framework of the second qualifying round, Turkmen football players will play six games - two meetings in November this year, and another four matches in March and June next year.

The Turkmen team will play the opening game on November 16 in Ashgabat against the Uzbekistan team, then Mergen Orazov’s team will play away against Hong Kong. This meeting will be on November 21.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the third round of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. They will also secure participation in the final stage of the 2027 Asian Cup.

2026 World Cup selection: Schedule of matches of the Turkmenistan national team

Group “E”

1st round, November 16, 2023

• Turkmenistan – Uzbekistan

2nd round, November 21, 2023

• Hong Kong – Turkmenistan

3rd round, March 21, 2024

• Iran – Turkmenistan

4th round, March 26, 2024

• Turkmenistan – Iran

5th round, June 6, 2024

• Uzbekistan – Turkmenistan

6th round, June 11, 2024

• Turkmenistan – Hong Kong