USA 2, Uzbekistan 1: A Late Winner to Open the World Cup

The U.S. Men’s National Amputee Soccer Team opened the 2026 WAFF Men's Amputee Football World Cup with a 2-1 win over Uzbekistan on November 14 in San Juan de los Lagos, Jalisco. Musabwa Nzirimwo scored the winner late in regulation, in the 50th minute.

Uzbekistan finished third at the 2022 World Cup. Beating them in the Group E opener puts the U.S. on three points heading into the next match.

Before kickoff

In the team tent before the match, Head Coach Jason Fiscina reminded the squad what the day was for. "All that work comes to fruition today," he said, pointing back to two years of early-morning workouts.

He closed with the line the team carried onto the field: "American grit. 50 minutes as a family. Can't think of 15 other men to go to war with. Let's go!"

How the match unfolded

The U.S. struck first. In the 7th minute, Vasu Sojitra finished from close range after a scramble in the box, and the American fans in the stands raised their flags.

Uzbekistan answered in the 23rd minute, slipping a shot past goalkeeper Ermin Omerovic at the near post to make it 1-1 before halftime.

In the second half, Omerovic kept the game level with a diving fingertip save. With time running out, a draw would have meant one point instead of three.

Then, in the 50th minute, the U.S. broke through. Uzbekistan's keeper stopped the first shot, and Musabwa Nzirimwo pounced on the rebound in the scramble to put the U.S. ahead 2-1. He ran straight to the sideline, where Coach Fiscina lifted him off the ground.

After the final whistle

"I feel amazing," Nzirimwo said moments after the match. "I just scored the winning goal for the U.S. Now we are going to continue tomorrow. Work is not done until we win this thing."

Fiscina credited the opponent and his players. "We played with American grit today," he said. "Playing for those who came before us, those who've lost, and for the future, and these boys. I couldn't have been more proud to be their coach."

In the team huddle, he turned the focus forward: "You shocked the world once. You shock the world again tomorrow."

What's next

The U.S. faces Morocco on Sunday, November 15, at 5:30 PM EST. Learn more about the team at usampsoccer.org.

Photos and video by NigelDPresents.

Match footage: World Amputee Football Federation livestream.