As excitement builds for the 2026 World Cup, Uzbekistan is gearing up for their historic appearance. This article showcases their journey and preparations as part of a collaborative effort among top media outlets from the 48 qualifying nations.
Strategic Evolution
Uzbekistan’s footballing path has been transformative. Under Srecko Katanec’s leadership starting in 2021, the team adopted a dynamic 3-4-3 formation, a strategy that has been maintained by his successors, Timur Kapadze and Fabio Cannavaro.
The qualification process was relatively smooth for the Uzbekistan team. In their initial round, they triumphed over Turkmenistan and Hong Kong, while managing to secure draws against Iran. The subsequent qualification round also proved advantageous, as they dodged powerhouse teams like Japan, South Korea, and Australia. Their away match against North Korea took place in Laos, with the Uzbek squad arriving via chartered flight. Overall, the White Wolves experienced only one loss in 16 matches, a narrow 3-2 defeat in Qatar, while ending all four encounters with Iran in ties. Utkir Yusupov, the team’s standout goalkeeper, played a crucial role, notably saving penalties in both matches against North Korea.
Uzbekistan: Group K Matches
17 June vs. Colombia, Mexico City (8 PM local, 18 June 3 AM BST, 18 June noon AEST)
23 June vs. Portugal, Houston (noon local, 6 PM BST, 24 June 3 AM AEST)
27 June vs. DR Congo, Atlanta (7:30 PM local, 28 June 0:30 AM BST, 28 June 9:30 AM AEST)
Katanec’s health issues during the qualifiers caught everyone off guard. The Slovenian coach was unable to attend some matches in Tashkent due to his condition. In the summer of 2024, he remarked, “If I step down from the national team for health reasons a third time, there’s no coming back for me.” He resigned in January 2025, with Kapadze taking the helm, having led Uzbekistan’s Olympic squad to Paris 2024 for the first time. Katanec acknowledged that his successor “completed the preparation I had begun.”
Following their World Cup qualification, the Uzbekistan Football Association sought to hire an international coach. Fabio Cannavaro was selected from a pool of candidates, signing an initial two-year contract. “I’m thrilled to have this chance; it’s a tremendous honor. I’m here not to overhaul everything but to build upon the foundation laid before me,” said the 2006 World Cup-winning captain upon his arrival last year, shortly after the team’s qualification was secured.
The Coach
Fabio Cannavaro boasts a remarkable record, having played in 18 World Cup matches across 1998, 2002, 2006, and 2010, and lifting the trophy in 2006. He ranks just behind Gianluigi Buffon for Italy’s most capped player. Nonetheless, his coaching career has been less distinguished. In four years with Guangzhou Evergrande, he managed to secure one Chinese Super League title, and his tenure as the head coach of China lasted only two matches. His coaching experiences also include brief stints at Benevento, Udinese, and Dinamo Zagreb. “I’ve performed in numerous matches where I felt I gave my all,” he noted. “Yet, after retiring and stepping into coaching, I realized that 90 minutes on the pitch can never truly compare to the challenges faced by a coach.”
Star Player
Abdukodir Khusanov stands out as Uzbekistan’s most prominent player, making history as the first from the nation to compete in the Champions League, Premier League, or Ligue 1. His father, Khikmat Khoshimov, was also a central defender. Khusanov began his career at the age of 17 with Energetik-BGU Minsk in Belarus, where he could only train until reaching the minimum age for competitive play. Reflecting on his time in Belarus, he shared, “I often felt isolated from my family, enduring multiple training sessions daily. When heavy snow blanketed the fields in winter, we would clear them ourselves before practice.” During a remarkable 2023, Khusanov not only won the Under-20 Asian Cup with Uzbekistan but also earned his first senior cap, leading to a transfer to Manchester City. Pep Guardiola praised him, stating, “He is an exceptional signing, incredibly receptive to coaching and consistently gives his all during training.” The 22-year-old has already secured both the FA Cup and League Cup this season.
Rising Star
Behruz Karimov, born in 2007 in the Namangan region, has shown an eagerness to advance in his football career. He recalled, “I’ve been playing football since I was six. In high school, I was rejected by the under-19 team of Navbahor due to my age. That motivated me to prove that age doesn’t define capability.” He made his debut for Surkhan in the Uzbek top flight in March last year and scored his first goal in October. By January, at just 18, he participated in the Under-23 Asian Cup, netting a goal against South Korea, which led to his first senior call-up. Despite a toe injury that required surgery in April, he recuperated just in time for the World Cup. Reflecting on his recovery, he said, “After the injury, I felt quite low, but the support from those around me was invaluable in helping me recover swiftly.”
Acknowledged Contributor
Dostonbek Khamdamov has represented Uzbekistan at every youth level, from winning the Under-16 Asian Cup in 2012 to the Under-23 tournament in 2018. Following his standout performances for Bunyodkor, Khamdamov, who earned the title of Asia’s best young player in 2015, transferred to Anzhi Makhachkala in Russia but only appeared in nine games. Now back with Pakhtakor, the winger has collected five league titles and three Uzbek Cups across two stints. After a period of being overlooked by the national squad, Khamdamov has regained his place under Cannavaro’s management.
Projected Starting Lineup
What to Expect from Fans
Uzbek supporters made their debut at a global football tournament in 2024, celebrating in Paris for the Olympics. Wherever they go, they leave a positive impact. Their most well-known chant is: “The Temurids have arrived, the Baburids have arrived” – a nod to Timur and Babur, two historical figures known for their empire-building in Central Asia.
Diplomatic Ties with the US
The leaders of Uzbekistan and the United States have engaged in several meetings over recent years, fostering a warm relationship. “Shavkat Mirziyoyev is my friend,” Trump noted during their encounter at the Board of Peace in Washington in February 2026. “He has one of the most challenging names in history, but that’s fine. Your nation is thriving. You’re doing wonderfully, and everything is going smoothly. Every time I see him, it’s the same—no issues.” Last November, Mirziyoyev complimented Trump, stating, “In Uzbekistan, we refer to you as the president of the world.”
