Uzbekistan Set for Its First-Ever FIFA World Cup

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.

Everything You Need to Know About Uzbekistan at the World Cup

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.

Follow all the coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on beIN SPORTS.

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