Uzbekistan football team's first World Cup experience: a fresh start with Fabio Cannavaro
Uzbekistan, for the first time in its history, is participating in the 2026 World Cup. Led by Fabio Cannavaro, the team has qualified and is set to compete in Group K alongside Colombia, Portugal and RD Congo.
Uzbekistan has a chance to participate in the 2026 World Cup for the first time. Group K faces Colombia (June 17, Mexico City), Portugal (June 23, Houston), RD Congo (June 27, Atlanta). After the signing of Fabio Cannavaro in October 2025, Uzbekistan's football team has a new sporting approach. Along with Cannavaro, Rolando Bianchi and Professor Enrico Castellacci have joined the team in coaching.
Eldor Shomurodov was a key player for Uzbekistan in subsequent matches, nicknamed Oq bo'rilar (Sri Lankan White Civilization). He scored 22 goals last season with Istanbul Basaksehir in the United Arab Emirates.
To qualify, Uzbekistan qualified for the World Cup after playing 16 matches and finishing second with 21 points.
Team Information
Goalkeepers – O'tkir Yusupov (Navbahor), Abduvohid Nematov (Nasaf), Botirali Ergashev (Neftchi)
Defenders – Roustam Ashurmatov (Esteghlal), Farruh Sayfiev (Neftchi), Abdukodir Khusanov (Manchester City), Abdoulla Abdullaev (Dibba)
Midfielders – Otabek Shukurov (Baniyas), Akmal Mozgovoy (Pakhtakor)
Leaders – Eldor Shomurodov (Istanbul Basaksehir), Igor Sergeev (Persepolis)
Natural composition of the team (3-4-2-1): Nematov; Khusanov, Abdullaev, Ashurmatov; Sayfiev, Khamrobekov, Shukurov, Nasrullaev; Fayzullaev, Urunov; Shomurodov.
Cannavaro and his team's items will raise expectations for Uzbekistan's World Cup response.
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