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Fabio Cannavaro’s Official Squad for Uzbekistan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Uzbekistan has announced its official squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and is set to make history with its first-ever World Cup appearance. Fabio Cannavaro will lead a generation headlined by Abdukodir Khusanov and Eldor Shomurodov in Group K.
The Uzbekistan national team has officially announced the squad that will compete at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a tournament that will mark a turning point in the country's football history.
The White Wolves will become one of the biggest stories of this World Cup as they prepare to compete in the most prestigious tournament in international football for the very first time. Uzbekistan is part of an exclusive group of debutants alongside Cape Verde, Curaçao, and Jordan, all of whom will also be looking to make history on football's biggest stage.
The Uzbek national team secured qualification after finishing second in its AFC qualifying group, behind Iran and ahead of rivals such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kyrgyzstan, and North Korea.
Under the guidance of legendary coach Fabio Cannavaro, who captained Italy to World Cup glory in 2006, Uzbekistan will look to showcase the progress it has made over the past decades and compete against some of the best national teams in the world.
Uzbekistan's Official Squad for the 2026 World Cup
Goalkeepers
Otkir Yusupov — Navbahor
Botirali Ergashev — Neftchi
Abduvohid Nematov — Nasaf
Defenders
Avazbek O‘lmasaliyev — OKMK
Jahongir O‘rozov — Dinamo
Rustam Ashurmatov — Esteghlal
Umar Eshmurodov — Nasaf
Abdukodir Khusanov — Manchester City
Abdulla Abdullayev — Dibba
Farrukh Sayfiyev — Neftchi
Hojiakbar Alijonov — Pakhtakor
Sherzod Nasrullayev — Pakhtakor
Behruz Karimov — Surkhon
Midfielders
Sherzod Esanov — Bukhara
Odil Hamrobekov — Tractor
Akmal Mozgovoy — Pakhtakor
Otabek Shukurov — Baniyas
Jamshid Iskanderov — Neftchi
Aziz Ganiev — Al Bataeh
Forwards
Abbosbek Fayzullayev — Istanbul Basaksehir
Jaloliddin Masharipov — Esteghlal
Doston Hamdamov — Pakhtakor
Oston Urunov — Persepolis
Aziz Amonov — Dinamo
Igor Sergeyev — Persepolis
Eldor Shomurodov — Istanbul Basaksehir
Head Coach
Fabio Cannavaro
Player to Watch
The standout player in this Uzbekistan squad is Abdukodir Khusanov, the Manchester City defender and one of the most promising footballers in Asia.
At 22 years old, Khusanov enters the World Cup as the only member of the squad currently playing at the highest level of European football. His pace, defensive ability, and experience facing some of the world's best attackers make him a key piece in Fabio Cannavaro's system.
However, the team's attacking leadership will rest on Eldor Shomurodov, Uzbekistan's captain and all-time leading goalscorer. The striker arrives at the tournament as the team's main attacking reference and the player tasked with leading an entire nation's World Cup dream.
Cannavaro Is Going All In
Although much of the squad plays in the domestic league or across Western Asian competitions, Uzbekistan has built a competitive, disciplined team with an increasingly defined football identity.
Qualifying for the World Cup represents the culmination of a development process that began several years ago and ultimately allowed the White Wolves to break a historic barrier for Uzbek football.
Uzbekistan will compete in Group K alongside Portugal, Colombia, and DR Congo, one of the most competitive groups in the tournament.
Fabio Cannavaro's side will make its World Cup debut on June 17 against Colombia at Estadio Ciudad de México. They will then face Portugal in Houston before closing out the group stage against DR Congo in Atlanta.
The White Wolves Are Ready for Their Debut
With Fabio Cannavaro on the bench, Eldor Shomurodov leading the attack, and Abdukodir Khusanov anchoring the defense, the White Wolves will aim to become one of the breakout stories of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
