An Italian Ballon d’Or on the bench against the five-time Ballon d’Or Cristiano Ronaldo captain of the opposing team. Fabio Cannavaro, the defender of Italy, 2006 world champion at the expense of France – and crowned five months later by France Football – has led the Uzbekistan selection since the fall of 2025.
This team supported by a golden generation – like the former Lens player Abdukodir Khusanov, now a starter at Manchester United – could surprise at the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States. Uzbekistan easily qualified in the Asia zone, with 6 victories in 10 matches to beat the Emirates and Qatar in particular.
Cannavaro holds his 40
The Uzbeks first face Colombia on June 17 in Mexico, before challenging Portugal from “CR7”, six days later in Houston, and finishing in this group against DR Congo, one of the two winners of the March play-offs. The White Wolves will perhaps have the opportunity to reach the round of 16 by being one of the best third-placed teams if they win against Chancel Mbemba’s Leopards.
Fabio Cannavaro is eager to prepare his team for the World Cup. The former Juventus and Real Madrid defender, who became a coach in China, has already revealed a prelist of 40 players and will therefore exclude four players on June 1. Eldor Shomurodov, center forward who played for Genoa and Roma, is the team’s star scorer. While most internationals play in the country’s big clubs, Shomurodov plays with attacking midfielder Abbosbek Fayzullaev at Basaksehir, an Istanbul club.
