Unlike traditional basketball, where the game starts with a score of 0:0, in the 'Games of the Future – 2026' events, one team might already be ten points behind by the time the first real shot is taken. This is due to the integration of a digital component into the sport discipline.
Fidgetball basketball combines digital and physical stages within a single match. Initially, two players from a club participate in a 2x2 computer simulation. Afterward, two athletes step onto a standard basketball court, continuing the game with the same accumulated score using a real ball.
This mechanism of transferring results fundamentally changes familiar rules: the digital stage is not merely a warm-up, and the physical stage does not allow the game to start from scratch. A mistake made in the virtual environment translates into a real disadvantage on the court, whereas a successful series of virtual three-pointers grants an advantage that the opponent must compensate for physically.
The digital phase lasts ten minutes or ends earlier if one team scores 19 points; a score of 20:18 is possible if the decisive shot scores two points. Upon reaching this mark, the computer game immediately stops, and its result is recorded as the starting score for the next stage. In the 3on3 FreeStyle format, participants control characters with various characteristics and roles, making not only reaction speed and accuracy critical but also the intelligent selection of hero combinations. Clubs determine their characters one hour before the match begins, requiring advance development of a digital strategy analogous to basketball plays.
The physical stage is played in a 2x2 format and is limited to seven minutes of net time, with the clock stopping during free throws and dead balls. Victory can be achieved early if the total score reaches 39. On the court, factors such as contact, fatigue, rebounds, and personal fouls come into play, which are absent in the gamer's game. A trailing team can sharply increase the pace and reduce the deficit. If the final score is tied, clubs take three free throws each, and then the game continues until the first lead after an equal number of attempts.
The organizers did not change the basic rules of basketball; the formula 'up to 19 points in the digital part – up to 39 on the court,' as well as seven minutes of net time and score transfer, were applied in Abu Dhabi in 2025. However, the environment of the discipline has significantly changed. While the Games in 2025 took place over six days and included 11 sports, the tournament in Astana was extended to twelve days but reduced to eight disciplines. For the first time, spectators can follow each discipline both live and on demand. The total prize fund for basketball remained unchanged at $400,000.
The composition of participants has also changed. The champion of LIGA PRO TEAM and the bronze medalist of PBC 'Astana' have returned to the current lineup. New teams include Boca Juniors and Valencia Basket. Meanwhile, the silver medalist Moscowsky and the fourth-place team Adria All Stars are absent. UzBig Team, which placed 9th to 12th from Uzbekistan in 2025 and received $10,000, is also absent.
It is important to note that the teams in the tournament are not necessarily national teams; the competition is structured around clubs, and a single quartet may feature athletes from different countries. For example, Serbian Filip Pejovic is listed in Kazakhstan's GTB KZ, and the Pepesqueros team includes players from the USA, Guatemala, and Cuba. A total of 16 clubs participate in basketball, divided into four groups, after which the top eight advance to the knockout playoffs. This format minimizes the time needed to correct mistakes, as a poor digital segment can immediately complicate further progression in the bracket.
The Uzbek Hyper Hoops team from Uzbekistan attempted to qualify for the main draw. In the qualifying match, they defeated Triada in the digital phase with a score of 20:15, but lost 8:22 on the court, resulting in an overall loss of 28:37. This example clearly demonstrates the specificity of the discipline: five virtual points of advantage were insufficient to counter seven minutes of real basketball.
Currently, there are no players from Uzbekistan in the roster for the main fidgetball tournament. Nevertheless, Uzbeks are represented in two other disciplines. In fidget football, eight people represent the FC OLYMPIC PHYGITAL team: Bekzod Jumabayev, Botirbek Rizayev, Botirjon Mamasodikov, Doston Bobozhonov, Kakhramon Solikhboev, Shokhrukh Shukhratov, Sunatjon Anvarov, and Timur Turakulov. In fidget shooter, the Uzbek contingent formed MIRAGE TEAM, which included Amir-Mirzo Muminov, Dilshod Ruzimurodov, Emil Jalilov, Ilhos Rasulov, Mukhammadjon Yuldoshev, Ruslan Pogosyan, and Umidjon Davronbek. Therefore, to find Uzbekistan's participation in the Games, one should refer to the applications of clubs in various disciplines, not just the basketball team.
Fidgetball basketball tests not a team's ability to perform all tasks equally well, but its capacity to integrate two different types of strength into a single outcome. Gamers must create an advantage, and athletes must maintain or reverse it, while the coach must decide who will be most beneficial at what stage. The main paradox is that a match can be won in the virtual environment, lost on the real court, and ultimately decided by a single free throw.
The Turkish football club Istanbul Başakşehir, which features Uzbek players Eldor Shomurodov and Abbosbek Faizullaev, has been excluded from the UEFA Conference League.
The elimination occurred after the team suffered a 2-0 defeat to the Finnish club Inter Turku in the second match of the second qualifying round.
The Finnish team secured the victory thanks to goals from Jasse Tuominen and Clinton Jeffty. Because of this, Inter Turku advanced to the next stage of the tournament, and Başakşehir's European journey ended. The first match between the teams ended in a 1-1 draw.
Abbosbek Faizullaev came onto the field at the beginning of the second half, while Eldor Shomurodov was substituted in the 77th minute. Despite these substitutions, the Turkish side could not change the course of the match.
The game proceeded without red cards. The referee issued four yellow cards, one of which was shown to Başakşehir defender Onur Bulut.
The European football body UEFA has announced an unprecedented boycott of the World Cup, stating that the tournament 'is not for sale,' amid escalating disagreements surrounding FIFA's controversial private investment plan.
In an extraordinary statement, UEFA confirmed that national teams refuse to participate in any FIFA competitions until governing body Gianni Infantino withdraws his proposal to sell stakes in a new commercial subsidiary to private investors. UEFA emphasized: 'No UEFA national team will participate in any FIFA competitions as long as these proposals remain in force, unless the proposal is completely withdrawn and firm guarantees are given that FIFA will never again open its governance or competitions to private ownership.'
The organization stated that 'the World Cup cannot be viewed as an investment product... Not any part of it should ever be handed over to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale.'
This crisis arose after the announcement on Tuesday of plans to create the company Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE). This commercial structure is valued at $20 billion and is intended to manage events such as the World Cup and the Club World Cup. FIFA aims to raise up to $4.2 billion by offering minority stakes to private investors, while also promising one-time payments of $20 million to each of the 211 affiliated associations at the beginning of 2027, alongside increased cycle funding.
While FIFA President Gianni Infantino called the initiative a 'golden opportunity to accelerate the development of the game worldwide' on Wednesday, UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin and European sports leaders condemned the scheme as a breach of trust. UEFA argued that 'the future of football cannot be determined by the expectations of those whose primary duty is to maximize financial profit,' and that the interests of national associations, leagues, clubs, players, and fans cannot become subordinate to investor returns. The European side stated: 'Our position is clear. We will never lend our legitimacy to this model. No one has the moral right to sell what they are merely holding in trust for the next generation.'
The discontent was not limited to New York. Representatives from the European Union, as well as regional governing bodies Concacaf (North and Central America), AFC (Asia), and CAF (Africa), expressed serious concern over the lack of consultation and potential governance risks. UEFA warned, accusing Zurich of 'governing by intimidation,' noting that pressuring affiliated associations into a hasty decision is a failure of leadership. The statement added: 'National associations around the world are now facing an ultimatum: accept the irreversible takeover of the greatest football competitions or face the consequences. This is not a 'democratic decision,' but governance by intimidation—an act of coercion unworthy of an institution entrusted with managing the global game.' UEFA concluded that 'Some things are simply too important to be sold. The FIFA World Cup belongs to football. It will always belong to football. And as long as Europe has a voice, it will never be put up for sale.'
The All India Football Federation announced on Thursday that five-time world champion Brazil will play against India in a friendly international match on October 3rd in Kolkata.
India will host the Brazilian national team at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan stadium, which will be one of the most significant events in the history of Indian football. This match marks a meeting with the highest-ranked team India has faced since the introduction of the FIFA world ranking in 1992, as Brazil currently ranks fifth.
Although friendly matches are not part of official tournaments, they are recognized as official international games. Results, number of matches played, goals scored, and other statistical data are included in official player and team records.
Brazil's legacy inspires generations of footballers around the world, including millions of dedicated fans in India, known as a country with one of the largest fan bases for the Brazilian team outside of Brazil. M Satyanarayanan, Deputy General Secretary of AIFF, noted: 'Inviting a team of this caliber, like Brazil, to our country is an exceptional moment that will undoubtedly go into a landmark section of Indian football history.'
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) also announced this via a post on X, calling it a historic event. CBF expressed joy at the opportunity to connect with India, which it described as home to the largest international fan base of the Brazilian national team.
CBF stated: 'From Australia to India. The schedule of the Brazilian National Team continues. After the friendly matches in Australia, our next destination will be India, where we will write an unprecedented chapter in our history. On October 3rd, the National Team will take to Indian soil for the first time, at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. It will be a special encounter with a country that hosts the largest international fan base of the Brazilian National Team and which has followed the story of Brazilian football with immense love and passion for generations. We look forward to this moment with millions of Indian fans! See you in Kolkata.'
Subrata Paul, Director of Indian National Teams, called it a historic moment for Indian football. He emphasized that for the national team players, this is more than just another match; it represents a rare opportunity to test their strength against one of the greatest football nations known to the game. Paul added that such experiences drive players to grow, inspire them to dream bigger, and leave memories that stay with them throughout their careers.
Furthermore, CBF published the FIFA international window schedule for September, confirming two friendly matches against Australia in Queensland. Brazil will play Australia in Townsville on September 25th and Brisbane on September 29th as part of the 2026 Queensland Football Series. CBF noted: 'These matches are part of the 2026 Queensland Football Series and mark the reunion of the Brazilian National Team with Australian audiences in another key international event. See you soon, Australia.'
