Uzbekistan are in the hunt for their first ever World Cup after successfully navigating the second round of qualifying.

They won four and drew two of their six games in the second stage to finish in the top two of Group E alongside Iran.

Defensively, Uzbekistan's progression to the third stage was largely down to a strong defence, with Srecko Katanec's side keeping three clean sheets in their final four games of the second round.

They will be aware that their task will be much tougher in the next stage of qualifying as they look to secure a top-two finish and automatic qualification.

At the very least, they will be hoping for a third or fourth place, which would give them another chance of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Uzbekistan will be eager to get off to a positive start and may take confidence from the fact that they have won their last three meetings with North Korea.

North Korea, meanwhile, are looking to reach their third World Cup finals and first since 2010.

They made it through the second round of qualifying despite losing a scheduled home game against Japan in March.

North Korea took nine points from their other five matches to finish second in Group B, two points clear of third-placed Syria.

Sin Yong-nam's side prepared for the third round of qualifying by playing two friendlies against Jordan last month, holding them to a goalless draw before losing 2-1 just two days later.

They now travel to Tashkent for their first meeting with Uzbekistan since a 4-0 friendly defeat in June 2019.

North Korea will be looking for their first head-to-head victory since a 4-2 win in 2015 World Cup qualifying.

Prediction:Uzbekistan 2-1 North Korea

Uzbekistan VS North Korea stream and TV listing

International：Holasports