The journey to the 2026 World Cup has been remarkable for Uzbekistan, showcasing their grit and determination. Under the guidance of Srecko Katanec, who took the reins in 2021, the team adopted a successful 3-4-3 formation that his successors, Timur Kapadze and Fabio Cannavaro, have continued to implement.
In the initial qualification round, Uzbekistan faced minimal challenges, easily defeating Turkmenistan and Hong Kong while earning two draws against Iran. The subsequent round of qualifications proved equally favorable, as they avoided formidable teams such as Japan, South Korea, and Australia. Notably, their away game against North Korea was held in Laos, which was logistically manageable for the team. Throughout both qualification rounds, the White Wolves suffered only one defeat out of 16 matches—a narrow 3-2 loss in Qatar. Their four encounters with Iran ended in stalemates, showcasing their defensive prowess. Utkir Yusupov, the team’s first-choice goalkeeper, played a pivotal role in securing their World Cup spot, notably saving penalties during matches against North Korea.
Group K Matches
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)
The unexpected decline in Katanec’s health during the qualifiers caught many off guard, ultimately preventing him from traveling to Tashkent for several matches. He expressed his resolve, stating, “If I leave the national team for the third time due to health reasons, I will never return,” during the summer of 2024. Following his resignation in January 2025, Kapadze took over, leading the Uzbekistan Olympic team to their first appearance at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Katanec acknowledged his successor’s contributions, remarking that Kapadze “finished the meal I started to prepare.”
After securing their World Cup berth, the Uzbekistan Football Association aimed to hire an international coach, eventually choosing Cannavaro from a pool of candidates. He signed a two-year contract and remarked, “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” upon his arrival last year, shortly after the team’s qualification was confirmed.
The Head Coach
Fabio Cannavaro has an illustrious playing history, having participated in 18 World Cup matches across the 1998, 2002, 2006, and 2010 tournaments, lifting the trophy in 2006. He is second only to Gianluigi Buffon in terms of appearances for Italy, with 176 caps. However, his coaching career has seen mixed results; he secured one Chinese Super League title during his four-year tenure at Guangzhou Evergrande, while his brief stint as head coach of China lasted only two matches. His coaching roles at Benevento, Udinese, and Dinamo Zagreb were also short-lived. Cannavaro reflected on his transition from player to coach, stating, “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
Abdukodir Khusanov stands out as the most prominent figure in the Uzbekistan squad, being the nation’s first representative in the Champions League, Premier League, or Ligue 1. Khusanov’s father, Khikmat Khoshimov, was also a central defender. At just 17, Khusanov joined Energetik-BGU Minsk in Belarus, where he was restricted to training as foreign players could not compete until turning 18. He recalls, “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.” In a remarkable 2023, Khusanov not only won the Under-20 Asian Cup with Uzbekistan but also earned his first senior cap, eventually signing with Manchester City. Pep Guardiola praised him, stating, “He is a top signing. He is so coachable. He is always training good and gives 100%.” The 22-year-old has already celebrated victories in both the FA Cup and League Cup this season.
Emerging Talent
Behruz Karimov, born in 2007 in the Namangan region, is another player to keep an eye on. His eagerness to progress in football has been evident from a young age. “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 shared. Karimov made his professional debut for Surkhan in the Uzbek top division in March last year, scoring his first goal in October. By January, at just 18, he participated in the Under-23 Asian Cup and found the net against South Korea, leading to his first senior call-up. Despite suffering a broken toe in April while playing for Surkhan, he underwent surgery and recovered in time for the World Cup. Reflecting on his journey, he said, “After the injury I was very depressed, but everyone around me supported me. This also helped me get back on my feet faster.”
Unsung Hero
Dostonbek Khamdamov has been a consistent presence for Uzbekistan at various youth levels, from winning the Under-16 Asian Cup in 2012 to achieving the same at the Under-23 tournament in 2018. After his impressive performances with Bunyodkor, where he was named Asia’s best young player in 2015, Khamdamov moved to Anzhi Makhachkala in Russia in 2018 but only featured in nine matches. Now back with Pakhtakor, the winger has won five league titles and three Uzbek Cups across two stints. Recently, he has regained favor with Cannavaro after a challenging period with the national team.
Predicted Lineup
The anticipated starting eleven for Uzbekistan showcases a mix of experience and youthful talent, poised to make their mark on the world stage.
Fan Expectations
Uzbek fans made their inaugural appearance at a global football tournament in 2024, descending on Paris for the Olympics. Wherever they travel, they create cherished memories. Their most iconic song proclaims: “The Temurids have come, the Baburids have come”—a reference to the legendary empire builders of Central Asia, signaling that they mean business.
US-Uzbekistan Relations
In recent years, the leaders of Uzbekistan and the United States have engaged in multiple discussions, strengthening their diplomatic ties. Trump remarked during a meeting in February 2026, “Shavkat Mirziyoyev is my friend. 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.” In a previous meeting, Mirziyoyev humorously told Trump, “In Uzbekistan, we call you the president of the world.”
