Top News

Uzbekistan’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup marks a historic moment for the nation as it will be their first-ever appearance at the tournament.

The Uzbekistan World Cup 2026 team has made history by becoming the country's first side to qualify for the global showpiece. Throughout their two qualification rounds, they suffered only one defeat and progressed comfortably through their group in the third round, although they are not expected to be among the tournament favourites.

In the lead-up to the World Cup, Uzbekistan participated in and hosted part of the second FIFA Series in 2026, gaining valuable experience as one of the competition’s lesser-known teams.

Uzbekistan will appear at the World Cup as an independent nation for the first time, having previously been part of the Soviet Union. Most of the squad members play domestically, with a few exceptions such as Abdukodir Khusanov, who represents Manchester City in the Premier League.

The team is managed by Fabio Cannavaro, the former Italian World Cup-winning captain, whose experience from lifting the trophy in 2006 is expected to inspire Uzbekistan’s players two decades later. His stellar performance against Germany in that tournament is ranked No.33 in FourFourTwo’s list of the greatest individual performances in football history.

Uzbekistan’s qualification also made them the first Central Asian nation to reach the World Cup and the third former Soviet state to do so, following Russia and Ukraine.

Goalkeepers:

Utkir Yusupov (Navbahor), Abduvohid Nematov (Nasaf), Botirali Ergashev (Neftchi)

Defenders:

Abdukodir Khusanov (Manchester City), Khojiakbar Alijonov (Pakhtakor), Farrukh Sayfiev (Neftchi), Rustam Ashurmatov (Esteghlal), Sherzod Nasrullaev (Pakhtakor), Umar Eshmurodov (Nasaf), Bekhruz Karimov (Surkhon), Mukhammadrasul Abdumazhidov (Pakhtakor), Jakhongir Urozov (Dinamo), Mukhammadkodir Khamraliev (Pakhtakor)

Midfielders:

Akmal Mozgovoy (Baniyas), Otabek Shukurov (Baniyas), Jamshid Iskanderov (Neftchi), Odiljon Hamrobekov (Tractor), Azizjon Ganiev (Al Bataeh), Oston Urunov (Persepolis), Dostonbek Khamdamov (Pakhtakor), Alisher Odilov (Neftchi), Ibrokhim Ibragimov (Pakhtakor), Umarali Rakhmonaliev (Sabah)

Forwards:

Eldor Shomurodov (Istanbul Basaksehir), Igor Sergeev (Persepolis), Sherzod Temirov (Erbil)

World Cup 2026 fixtures:

June 01, 2026: Canada vs Uzbekistan, BMO Field, Toronto, Canada

June 18, 2026: Uzbekistan vs Colombia, Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico

June 23, 2026: Portugal vs Uzbekistan, NRG Stadium, Houston, United States

June 28, 2026: DR Congo vs Uzbekistan, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, United States

Recent results:

March 30, 2026: Uzbekistan 0-0 (5-4 pens) Venezuela, Milliy Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

March 27, 2026: Uzbekistan 3-1 Gabon, Milliy Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

November 18, 2025: Iran 0–0 Uzbekistan (3–4 p), Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

November 14, 2025: Uzbekistan 2–0 Egypt, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

October 13, 2025: Uzbekistan 1–2 Uruguay, Hang Jebat Stadium, Malacca City, Malaysia

October 9, 2025: Uzbekistan 2–0 Kuwait, Olympic City Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

September 8, 2025: Uzbekistan 1–0 Iran (AET), Olympic City Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

September 5, 2025: Uzbekistan 4–0 Kyrgyzstan, Olympic City Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

September 2, 2025: Turkmenistan 1–2 Uzbekistan, Olympic City Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

August 30, 2025: Uzbekistan 1–1 Oman, Olympic City Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

June 10, 2025: Uzbekistan 3–0 Qatar, Milliy Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

June 5, 2025: United Arab Emirates 0–0 Uzbekistan, Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

March 25, 2025: Iran 2–2 Uzbekistan, Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran

March 20, 2025: Uzbekistan 1–0 Kyrgyzstan, Milliy Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

January 27, 2025: Uzbekistan 0–0 Jordan, Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha, Qatar

Ballon d’Or winner Fabio Cannavaro will lead Uzbekistan at their debut World Cup. His previous managerial tenures include stints in China, Saudi Arabia, and Italy, though none brought major success. This will be his second spell as a national team coach, after briefly managing China while concurrently in charge of Guangzhou.

Uzbekistan’s hopes will hinge on a solid defensive setup. While winning the World Cup might be a distant dream, progressing far in the tournament will depend on their ability to defend resolutely and seize late chances through their forwards.

Defender Abdukodir Khusanov from Manchester City is expected to play a crucial role in that strategy. He joined the Premier League side in January 2025 after an 18-month spell with French club Lens. Under Pep Guardiola’s mentorship, he has gained valuable experience that could be instrumental for his nation in their first-ever World Cup campaign.