Fabio Cannavaro, Italian football legend and 2006 World Cup champion, has stunned the football world by being appointed as the new head coach of Uzbekistan’s national team, the country’s federation officially confirmed on Monday.

The Uzbekistan Football Association shared the news through an enthusiastic social media post:

“Fabio Cannavaro is the new head coach of the Uzbekistan national team!”

A New Adventure for the Former Ballon d’Or Winner

The former Juventus, Real Madrid, and Parma defender will take on the challenge of leading a nation set to make its first-ever appearance at a FIFA World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada in 2026.

According to the federation, Cannavaro will hold a press conference alongside officials to outline his goals and long-term vision as Uzbekistan prepares for its historic debut on football’s grandest stage.

At 51 years old, the Neapolitan coach will aim to build on the remarkable progress that saw Uzbekistan qualify for the World Cup after a brilliant run through the Asian qualifiers.

From Europe to the Asian Football Scene

Cannavaro is no stranger to Asian football. His coaching résumé includes stints in China, where he managed Guangzhou Evergrande and Tianjin Quanjian, as well as a brief spell with the Saudi Arabia national team.

Though his managerial career remains relatively young, Cannavaro has developed a reputation for being a disciplined and motivational leader—qualities the Uzbek federation considers essential as the team prepares for its first-ever World Cup campaign.

The Road to 2026

Uzbekistan will head into the 2026 FIFA World Cup with optimism and pride, ready to make an impression against global powerhouses. Cannavaro, renowned for his leadership and defensive intelligence as a player, will now try to channel that same energy and mentality into his coaching.

The 2006 Ballon d’Or winner faces one of the most unique and ambitious challenges of his career: guiding a debutant nation to compete among the world’s elite in a tournament that could redefine the future of Uzbek football.