The Possible Lineups of Uzbekistan to Face Colombia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Uzbekistan faces its first World Cup with undiminished hope and the challenge of competing against powerhouses like Colombia, under Cannavaro's leadership.

Uzbekistan makes its debut

The football history of Uzbekistan is relatively recent. It was not until 1992 that the national team played its first official match, just a year after the country achieved independence following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Today, more than three decades later, this Central Asian nation faces a historic challenge, participating in its first FIFA World Cup, an achievement that transcends sports and represents a milestone for a young country on the football map. Today, they are set to participate in Group K, and one of their first matches is against Colombia.

Led by Cannavaro, they seek to make history

The team, known as the White Wolves, arrives under the direction of Fabio Cannavaro, the former captain of the Italian national team that won the World Cup in 2006. The presence of the former defender brings experience and leadership to a squad that, for the most part, is unknown to the international audience. However, some names have already begun to stand out on the global stage. Among them is Abdukodir Khusanov, a defender for Manchester City, and Eldor Shomurodov, a forward who stands out as the main offensive reference for the Uzbek team.

The draw was not kind to Uzbekistan. Sharing a group with powerhouses like Portugal and Colombia places the team in a complicated position, where external expectations see them more as prey than as predators. However, the history of the World Cups is full of surprises and stories of overcoming challenges. With a former world champion at the helm, the hope of pulling off an unexpected upset is not ruled out.

The debut against Colombia and the possible lineup

The debut against Colombia will be a litmus test. The South Americans, with more experience and hierarchy, start as favorites, but Uzbekistan's motivation to make a mark in their first participation can at least partially balance the scales. Tactical discipline, speed in transitions, and Shomurodov's ability to exploit any space will be key to trying to compete on equal terms.

Possible lineup of Uzbekistan: Utkir Yusupov; Khojiakbar Alijonov, Abdukodir Khusanov, Rustam Ashurmatov, Sherzod Nasrullaev; Otabek Shukurov, Odiljon Hamrobekov; Abbosbek Fayzullaev, Jamshid Iskanderov, Oston Urunov; Eldor Shomurodov.