The journey to the 2026 World Cup has been remarkable for Uzbekistan, with their footballing aspirations reaching new heights. This article is part of a collaborative initiative that highlights insights from various media outlets about the teams participating in the tournament set to commence on June 11.
Strategic Evolution
Uzbekistan’s football transformation began in 2021 when Srecko Katanec assumed the managerial role, implementing a successful 3-4-3 formation. His successors, Timur Kapadze and current coach Fabio Cannavaro, have maintained this tactical approach.
The initial qualification round was smoothly navigated, as the team triumphed over Turkmenistan and Hong Kong, securing draws against Iran. The subsequent qualification stages were equally favorable, with Uzbekistan avoiding matchups against traditional powerhouses like Japan, South Korea, and Australia. Notably, their away game against North Korea took place in Laos, with the team arriving via chartered flight. Over both qualification rounds, the White Wolves lost only once in 16 matches, a narrow 3-2 defeat in Qatar. They managed to draw all four encounters with Iran, a formidable opponent in Asian football. Utkir Yusupov, the goalkeeper, was pivotal in their success, notably saving penalties during the crucial matches against North Korea.
Group K Schedule
Uzbekistan’s fixtures in Group K are as follows:
- June 17 vs Colombia, Mexico City (8 PM local, June 18 3 AM BST, June 18 noon AEST)
- June 23 vs Portugal, Houston (noon local, 6 PM BST, June 24 3 AM AEST)
- June 27 vs DR Congo, Atlanta (7:30 PM local, June 28 0:30 AM BST, June 28 9:30 AM AEST)
Unexpectedly, Katanec’s health deteriorated during the qualifiers, preventing him from traveling to Tashkent for several matches. He expressed his determination, stating, “If I leave the national team for the third time due to health reasons, I will never return,” before resigning in January 2025. Kapadze, who had previously led Uzbekistan’s Olympic team to the 2024 Paris Games, took over, with Katanec remarking that his successor “finished the meal I started to prepare.”
Following their World Cup qualification, the Uzbekistan Football Association sought a foreign coach, ultimately selecting Cannavaro from a pool of candidates and signing him to a two-year contract. “I’m happy to be given this opportunity; it is a great honour. I came here not to change everything, but to continue the work that has been started,” said the 2006 World Cup victor upon his arrival last year.
The Coach’s Journey
Fabio Cannavaro boasts an impressive World Cup history, participating in 18 matches across the tournaments from 1998 to 2010, with a triumph in Germany in 2006. He ranks just behind Gianluigi Buffon in terms of Italy’s all-time caps. However, his coaching career has seen limited success. Cannavaro secured one Chinese Super League title during a four-year tenure with Guangzhou Evergrande, and his time as head coach for China lasted just two matches. He also had brief stints with Benevento, Udinese, and Dinamo Zagreb. Reflecting on his transition from player to coach, he noted, “I have played many games on the field where I thought I had given everything. But after hanging up my boots and starting my coaching career, I realised that 90 minutes on the field can never be compared to the life of a coach.”
Star Player Spotlight
Abdukodir Khusanov stands out as the marquee player for Uzbekistan, being the nation’s first representative to compete in prestigious leagues like the Champions League, Premier League, or Ligue 1. His father, Khikmat Khoshimov, was also a central defender. At just 17, Khusanov began his journey with Energetik-BGU Minsk in Belarus, where he could only train due to age restrictions on foreign players. “In Belarus, I suffered away from my parents – often there were training sessions three times a day. If there was heavy snow in winter, we would clear the field ourselves and then train,” he recalled. In a whirlwind 2023, he celebrated winning the Under-20 Asian Cup with Uzbekistan and earned his first senior cap. His impressive trajectory led him to Manchester City just 18 months later, with Pep Guardiola praising him, stating, “He is a top signing. He is so coachable. He is always training well and gives 100%.” The young talent has also secured victory in both the FA Cup and League Cup this season.
Emerging Talent
Behruz Karimov, born in 2007 in the Namangan region, embodies the spirit of ambition. “I’ve been playing football since I was six years old. When I was in high school, I was rejected by the under-19 team of Navbahor because I was too young. After that, I started trying to prove that age is just a number.” He made his debut for Surkhan in the Uzbek top division in March last year, netting his first goal in October. By January, at just 18, he participated in the Under-23 Asian Cup, scoring against South Korea, and soon received his first call-up to the senior team. An unfortunate toe injury required surgery in April, but he recovered in time for the World Cup. Reflecting on the ordeal, he stated, “After the injury, I was very depressed, but everyone around me supported me. This also helped me get back on my feet faster.”
Key Contributors
Dostonbek Khamdamov is a notable figure who has represented Uzbekistan at every youth level, achieving success from the Under-16 Asian Cup in 2012 to the Under-23 tournament victory in 2018. Following his standout performances for Bunyodkor, he was named Asia’s best young player in 2015 and subsequently joined Anzhi Makhachkala in Russia, where he played only nine matches. Returning to Pakhtakor, he has accumulated five league titles and three Uzbek Cups over two tenures. After a challenging period with the national team, Khamdamov has regained favor under Cannavaro.
Expected Starting Lineup
Fan Atmosphere
Uzbek fans made their presence felt at a global football event for the first time during the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Regardless of the destination, they leave a trail of positive memories. Their most popular chant celebrates the legacy of two historical figures, saying: “The Temurids have come, the Baburids have come,” emphasizing their lineage as descendants of the empire builders Timur and Babur.
International Relations
Uzbekistan’s relationship with the United States has seen several cordial meetings between the two nations’ leaders in recent years. “Shavkat Mirziyoyev is my friend,” remarked Trump during a gathering at the Board of Peace in Washington in February 2026. He humorously noted, “He’s got one of the most difficult names in history, but that’s OK, it doesn’t matter. Your country is doing great. You’re doing great and just no problems. Every time I see him, nope, we’re doing good, no problems.” Mirziyoyev reciprocated the sentiment, stating, “In Uzbekistan, we call you the president of the world.”
