Uzbekistan prepares for historic World Cup debut
Uzbekistan is set to make its first appearance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a milestone that has captured the imagination of a country eager to showcase its growing football culture.
The national team will be guided by former Real Madrid and Italy defender Fabio Cannavaro, whose distinguished playing career includes a Ballon d'Or and a World Cup triumph, bringing elite experience to the sidelines.
Success at the youth level has been a cornerstone of this rise, with Uzbekistan’s under‑23, under‑20 and under‑17 sides each capturing Asian Cup titles, providing a pipeline of talent that the senior squad now draws from.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s ‘New Uzbekistan’ initiative has prioritized liberalisation and cultural renewal, and the government has directed significant funding toward youth training programmes and infrastructure, signalling a long‑term commitment to the sport.
Currently ranked 50th in the FIFA world rankings, the team faces long odds, with statistical models giving them a 12 percent chance of advancing from Group K and listing them as 2000‑to‑one outsiders for the trophy, yet Cannavaro is already looking ahead to the 2027 Asian Cup as a benchmark for competitive progress.
The group stage draw places Uzbekistan against Colombia, Portugal and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the squad will rely on players plying their trade abroad, including Manchester City centre‑back Abdukodir Khusanov, forward Eldor Shomurodov and attacking midfielder Abbosbek Fayzullaev.
President Mirziyoyev hailed the squad as national heroes, emphasizing that their achievement has sparked pride across the nation and inspired a new generation of youngsters to dream of international glory.