Everything You Need to Know About Uzbekistan Before the 2026 World Cup
World Cup Team Guides
Uzbekistan 2026 World Cup Preview - Team Breakdown, Selection and Everything You Need to Know
Uzbekistan qualified for the FIFA World Cup finals for the first time ever on the 5th June 2025, and they did it in style. Losing one of their 16 qualification matches, the White Wolves would’ve been on that flight to North America regardless of whether there were 32 or 48 nations at the tournament.
Coached by a former World Cup winner, the Uzbeks are flying the flag for Central Asia this summer and have a squad which contains 15 domestic-based players, as well as five who ply their trade in nearby Iran. In fact, Manchester City’s Abdukodir Khusanov is the only player not based in either Uzbekistan or the Middle East.
An honor to host the Uzbekistan National Team for their first World Cup! 🇺🇿 pic.twitter.com/NZPlGaw1TU
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) June 11, 2026
Whilst the Western eye might not recognise a large portion of names in the Uzbek camp, the White Wolves have spent the last three and a half decades building up to this moment, and can now pride themselves as one of the greatest teams Asia has to offer.
Ballon d’Or Winning Boss
Fabio Cannavaro had a renowned, illustrious playing career, but his time as a manager has seen him coach over 200 games in China, as well as short-lived eras at Al Nassr, Benevento, Udinese, and Dinamo Zagreb.
His brother, Paolo, coaches alongside him as he has done for the majority of Fabio’s coaching career, and so far the pair have led Uzbekistan to an even record of three wins, draws, and losses from nine games.
The Italian has shown a major dedication to leading the country to their first-ever World Cup. Showing up to multiple of the national team’s youth fixtures and regularly attending Uzbek Super League fixtures, the most represented league in the 26-man World Cup squad.
Eyes on the future 👀
— #AsianCup2027 (@afcasiancup) January 13, 2026
Fabio Cannavaro is in the house, checking out the young White Wolves 🇺🇿 !#AFCU23 | #UZBvKOR pic.twitter.com/hsSb4ShFW8
Joining the White Wolves’ national team set-up after their qualification for the global tournament was confirmed, Uzbekistan’s form in recent weeks has led to some questions being raised over the 52-year-old’s capabilities of leading the country through the competition.
Defeats to Canada and the Netherlands just days before the tournament kicked off were a worrying sign for the Uzbek population; however, a 2-1 defeat against the Dutch was arguably self-inflicted due to the two penalties conceded by Uzbekistan.
Cannavaro’s Crew (Full Squad List)
Uzbekistan’s squad is one of the more experienced at the tournament with an average age of 27.9; however, 18-year-old right-back Bekhruz Karimov will be the 12th youngest player at the World Cup.
Central defender, Avazbek Ulmasaliev could make his national team debut in North America as the only uncapped player in the squad. Alisher Odilov was a name many were disappointed to see omitted from the final 26 due to his capabilities up and down the left flank, especially after he scored for Uzbekistan in a FIFA World Series match against Gabon in March.
With a slight knock to Uzbekistan right back Khojiakbar Alijonov, it's very possible we see 18 year old Bekhruz Karimov start in the opening match for Uzbekistan. pic.twitter.com/EoWoTr09YB
— Conor 🏴🇺🇿 (@_UzbekFootball) June 2, 2026
Uzbekistan Final 26-Man Squad:
Goalkeepers:
- Utkir Yusupov (PFC. Navbahor Namangan, 40 caps)
- Abduvohid Nematov (FC Nasaf, 8 caps)
- Botirali Ergashev (FC Neftchi Fergana, 2 caps)
Defenders:
- Abdukodir Khusanov (Manchester City FC, 27 caps)
- Khojiakbar Alijonov (Pakhtakor FC, 40 caps)
- Farrukh Sayfiev (FC Neftchi Fergana, 46 caps)
- Rustam Ashurmatov (Esteghlal FC, 49 caps)
- Sherzod Nasrullaev (Pakhtakor FC, 31 caps)
- Umar Eshmurodov (FC Nasaf, 29 caps)
- Abdulla Abdullaev (Dibba FC, 17 caps)
- Bekhruz Karimov (FC Surkhon, 2 caps)
- Avazbek Ulmasaliev (FC AGMK, 0 caps)
- Jakhongir Urozov (FC Dinamo Samarqand, 4 caps)
Midfielders:
- Akmal Mozgovoy (Pakhtakor FC, 25 caps)
- Otabek Shukurov (Baniyas Club, 84 caps)
- Jamshid Iskanderov (FC Neftchi Fergana, 38 caps)
- Odiljon Hamrobekov (Tractor, 72 caps)
- Jaloliddin Masharipov (Esteghlal FC, 74 caps)
- Oston Urunov (Persepolis FC, 42 caps)
- Dostonbek Khamdamov (Pakhtakor FC, 34 caps)
- Azizjon Ganiev (Al Bataeh Club, 19 caps)
- Abbosbek Fayzullaev (İstanbul Başakşehir FK, 32 caps)
- Sherzod Esanov (FC Bukhara, 1 cap)
Forwards:
- Eldor Shomurodov (İstanbul Başakşehir FK, 92 caps)
- Azizbek Amonov (FC Dinamo Samarqand, 12 caps)
- Igor Sergeev (Persepolis FC, 83 caps)
The Uzbekistan national team has set off for North America from Tashkent pic.twitter.com/dkFMvAGYrU
— Conor 🏴🇺🇿 (@_UzbekFootball) May 26, 2026
How the 3-4-2-1 Set-Up Works for Cannavaro
Uzbekistan’s tactical identity has been clearly linked to a back-three formation, with Khusanov often at the centre of it all. As with any formation that deploys wing-backs, the wide players are pivotal; in this case, Nasrullaev and Sayfiev are the pair chosen to bomb up and down the left and right flanks, joining in attacks or offering the option to sit back and become a four- or five-man defensive line.
If you’re hoping for an easy day out v Uzbekistan, you may need to reconsider.
— SantiSignals (@SantiSignals) June 5, 2026
Under Fabio Cannavaro, the Uzbeks will seek to defend with 9 (!) and launch a counter mostly when the opposition has retreated to its own back third.
Parking the bus, Uzbek style! pic.twitter.com/g8Qvutb0L8
Box-to-box midfielders like Shukurov are then required to bridge the front and back three together and provide cover if either wing-back looks to venture forward. In front of them are two free-roaming creative players - often either Fayzullaev, Urunov, or Ganiev - who often sit tightly behind the centre forward, but can also penetrate from the wings…
Electric Eldor
Eldor Shomurodov completes the pyramid as the pinnacle of the White Wolves’ attack. Born in Jarqurgon, not far from the Afghanistan border, the 30-year-old is his homeland’s all-time top goalscorer with 44 goals in 92 games.
Well known for his time in Serie A at Genoa, Roma, Spezia, and Cagliari, Shomurodov became the second-ever Uzbek to play in the Italian top flight after Ilyos Zeytulayev. The three-time Uzbekistan player of the year is an all-rounded striker due to his six-foot-three frame, emphatic pace, and clinicality in front of goal. Such skills led him to be named joint top goalscorer in the 2025/26 Turkish Süper Lig season with 22 goals for İstanbul Başakşehir.
When factoring in that Shomurodov had scored 19 goals in the last five seasons combined, and his previous personal best goal haul in a league season was 11, it's safe to say the sharp–shooting centre forward is heading to the States in the form of his life.
🇺🇿🥇 Eldor Shomurodov (30) is currently the top goalscorer in the Turkish league with 12 goals. ✨
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) December 28, 2025
He previously played at Roma under Jose Mourinho. pic.twitter.com/kQwYrovZep
For Club and Country
Shomurodov is not the only Uzbek talent to currently call Istanbul his home. Fayzullaev is another Başakşehir starlet and a product of Pakhtakor’s academy; he caught the eye of many when playing for CSKA Moscow, and even won the Asian Football Confederation’s 2023 Young Player of the Year award.
The Turkish club paid close to £6.5 million for his services last summer, and since doing so, Fayzullaev has adjusted to the league, demonstrating his creativity and technical ability. The likes of Liverpool and Marseille have allegedly been interested in the 22-year-old, and who knows where he could end up if he performs at the World Cup.
🚨 Liverpool scouts are reportedly keeping close tabs on Abbosbek Fayzullayev.
— Liverpool Hub (@LiverpoolLnd) June 9, 2026
The Uzbekistan international, currently at Istanbul Başakşehir, has caught attention with his performances for club and country.pic.twitter.com/gEEUgHfO4s
Group K’s a Killer
Uzbekistan were placed in the diverse Group K with representatives from Africa (DR Congo), South America (Colombia), Europe (Portugal), and, of course, Asia.
Their fixture times and the channels they’re on in the UK are as follows:
- Uzbekistan vs Colombia | 3 am (BST) | 18th June, 2026 | BBC
- Portugal vs Uzbekistan | 6 pm (BST) | 23rd June, 2026 | ITV
- DR Congo vs Uzbekistan | 12:30 am (BST) | 28th June, 2026 | BBC
The White Wolves have never faced any of their three upcoming opponents, making their Group K journey, which will see them travel to Mexico City, Houston, and Atlanta, quite the adventure. Cannavaro and his collection of Central Asian super team will certainly believe that they possess the ability to survive the group stage, even if that means a third-placed finish.
The Final Verdict
Portugal are the straightforward choice to top the group, an outcome which seems incredibly unlikely. Whereas the fight for second and third place is a lot closer.
Colombia have lost two of their last 13 games (against Croatia and France), and came third in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers, above the likes of Uruguay and Brazil. DR Congo qualified for the tournament via the inter-continental qualification route and have since played out a goalless draw against Denmark, and a loss to Chile.
A loss in the opening game against Colombia could be devastating for Uzbekistan, but a singular win against DR Congo in the final fixture could be enough to see them reach the round of 32 as a top third-place finisher.
If they were to reach the round of 32 as a third-placed team, then the winner of Group L will await, which could very well be England! An R32 exit would be extremely respectable for the debutants, and a very likely outcome if they are to find just one victory in their three group stage games.
Ollie McCaw 
Jac Jones 
Alec Hayward 