UZBEKISTAN

Uzbekistan is a 2026 World Cup debutant — the first Central Asian team in tournament history and the third former Soviet state after Russia and Ukraine. At the 2026 World Cup, Uzbekistan plays in Group K against Portugal, Colombia, and DR Congo. Head coach Fabio Cannavaro — an Italian, the 2006 World Cup-winning captain and Ballon d'Or recipient — was appointed in October 2025. The leaders: Abdukodir Khusanov (Manchester City), Eldor Shomurodov (Venezia), Jaloliddin Masharipov.

After the Soviet Union's collapse, Uzbekistan got independent football in 1992 and joined the AFC in 1994. Since then the team has played in five Asian Cups but never qualified for a World Cup across eight cycles. The best moment before 2026 was the 2011 Asian Cup quarterfinal (a 0:6 loss to Australia). In 2022 qualifying, Uzbekistan was one game from advancing — losing 0:2 to Australia in the play-off. The generation born in the 2000s finally crossed the line.

Qualifying was dramatic. Uzbekistan finished first in the third round Asian group and beat Qatar in the play-off. Cannavaro's October 2025 appointment was a signal of serious intent — the man who lifted the World Cup in Berlin 2006 leads a debutant 20 years later. In Group K the main rival is Portugal (June 23 in Houston). Matches are in Mexico City, Houston, and Kansas City. The debut is against Colombia on June 18 in Mexico City.

---