Uzbekistan. The pre-tournament read.

Uzbekistan arrive at the 2026 World Cup with the most structurally improved Asian side of the cycle. Fabio Cannavaro has brought an Italian defensive shape that suits the squad — Khusanov as the spine, Shomurodov as the focal point, Fayzullaev as the connector — and a coaching CV that justifies the federation's belief that this generation can compete at a tournament. Group K is winnable in places: Portugal will go for it but historically rest a key player against a debutant; Colombia are good but not unbeatable; DR Congo are the obvious target for a result. The agent's read: Uzbekistan are the AFC's most likely third side (after South Korea and Japan) to reach the knockout rounds — and the agent has them ahead of Korea on shape, behind on individual talent.

AGENT-AUTHOREDAgent-authored tournament read. Treat the framing and group outlook as editorial judgement; sourced facts are separated below.

Top three starsUSER-PROVIDED

Roma · Centre-forward / Captain
Eldor Shomurodov
All-time top scorer for Uzbekistan and the driving force of the qualifying campaign. Five goals and five assists across the campaign — every Uzbekistan attack flows through him.
Manchester City · Centre-back
Abdukodir Khusanov
The one player on Pep Guardiola's books — signed from Lens in January 2025 for a fee that rewrote Uzbekistan's transfer record. The defensive anchor for the entire qualifying run.
CSKA Moscow · Attacking midfielder
Abbosbek Fayzullaev
21 years old, the breakthrough talent of the cycle. The creative midfielder between Khusanov and Shomurodov — the bridge that turned Cannavaro's structure into an attacking team.

Qualifying scorer sketchAGENT-AUTHORED

Agent-authored figures · needs verification before match-use.

01 Eldor Shomurodov · Roma5 g · 10 of 10
02 Abbosbek Fayzullaev · CSKA Moscow3 g · 9 of 10
03 Igor Sergeev · Pakhtakor3 g · 8 of 10

Road to 2026USER-PROVIDED

20 MAY 2024
Fabio Cannavaro appointed head coach
Federation hires the 2006 Ballon d'Or winner after years of revolving-door appointments. Cannavaro arrives with a clear plan: defensive structure first, attacking through Shomurodov.
31 JAN 2025
Manchester City sign Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens
Largest-ever transfer involving an Uzbek player. The defensive anchor of the national side moves to Pep Guardiola's defence — a structural change in the squad's status.
5 JUN 2025
Uzbekistan qualify with one game to spare
First Central Asian nation and third post-Soviet state (after Russia and Ukraine) to qualify for a World Cup. Federation has been waiting since 1992 — exactly 34 years.
5 DEC 2025
Drawn into Group K with Portugal, Colombia, DR Congo
A debutant group with two top-tier opponents and one fellow knockout-curious side (DR Congo). Cannavaro on the draw: "This is exactly the group I would have asked for."

Did you knowUSER-PROVIDED

First-ever World Cup qualification. Uzbekistan have been a FIFA member since 1994 — a 32-year wait that ended in June 2025.
Uzbekistan are the first Central Asian nation ever to qualify for a senior FIFA tournament, and the third post-Soviet state after Russia (1994, 2002, 2014, 2018) and Ukraine (2006).
Manager Fabio Cannavaro won the World Cup as Italy's captain in 2006. He will be the third 2006-winning Italian to manage a side at a senior tournament (after Lippi with China and Pirlo's brief youth stints).
Abdukodir Khusanov's transfer to Manchester City in January 2025 made him the most expensive Uzbek player in history. His Manchester City debut, against Chelsea, came less than 72 hours after he signed.

Manager + squad

In charge since 1 MAY 2024

Fabio Cannavaro

2006 Ballon d'Or winner, World Cup-winning captain (Italy 2006). Took the Uzbekistan job in 2024 after Italian and Chinese stints. Italian-defensive shape — narrow midfield, low block, transitions through Shomurodov.

Squad status

Provisional squad announced — final cuts pending

The rest of Group K

Portugal
DR Congo
Colombia

← All 12 groups