2026-06-08
White Wolves push Netherlands close in 2-1 defeat
A spirited final warm-up against elite opposition encouraged belief before the debut.
Group K · AFC · FIFA #50 · 1501/1
Uzbekistan
1714Cannavaro's White Wolves make history as the first Central Asian World Cup nation, banking on Khusanov's defending and Shomurodov's goals to survive a Group K with Portugal and Colombia.
Coach Fabio Cannavaro (Italian) · since October 2025
Matches
Key players
- Eldor ShomurodovST · Istanbul Basaksehir
Captain and all-time top scorer with 44 goals in 90 caps
- Abdukodir KhusanovCB · Manchester City
22-year-old €40m defender, the squad's only top-five-league player
- Abbosbek FayzullaevAM · Istanbul Basaksehir
22-year-old creative spark; 8 goals in 30 caps
- Otabek ShukurovDM · Baniyas
86-cap defensive anchor in front of the back line
- Oston UrunovW · Persepolis
Attacking outlet from the Iranian league
- Utkir YusupovGK · Navbahor
First-choice goalkeeper
Injuries / doubts
- No significant injuries or suspensions reported in the final squad
Recent form
| 2026-06-08 | Netherlands (a) | 1-2 L | Friendly |
| 2026-05-30 | Canada (a) | 0-2 L | Friendly |
| 2026-03-30 | Venezuela | 0-0 D (4-5 pens) | FIFA Series |
| 2026-03-27 | Gabon | 3-1 W | FIFA Series |
News
2026-06-02
Cannavaro names Uzbekistan's first-ever World Cup squad
Shomurodov captains a 26 built on domestic talent plus Man City's Khusanov.
2026-05-29
Historic debut: first Central Asian nation at a World Cup
Uzbekistan open against Colombia in Mexico City on June 17, then face Portugal and DR Congo.