Cannavaro Names Uzbekistan's Squad for Historic World Cup Debut Against Colombia
Fabio Cannavaro has named the Uzbekistan squad for the country's first World Cup, submitted ahead of FIFA's June 2 deadline. Built on the Italian's defence-first identity, the White Wolves open Group K against Colombia at the Estadio Azteca on June 17, with captain and record scorer Eldor Shomurodov leading the attack. Each nation's final 26 is confirmed by FIFA on June 2.
U zbekistan will play at a World Cup for the first time, and Fabio Cannavaro has named the squad to take the White Wolves there. The Uzbekistan Football Association published the list ahead of FIFA's June 2 deadline, by which every federation must lodge its official 26-player roster. Uzbekistan open Group K against Colombia at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 17.
From Kapadze to Cannavaro
The 2006 world champion took charge of Uzbekistan in October 2025, replacing Timur Kapadze, the coach who guided the country through the Asian Football Confederation qualifiers to its historic first World Cup. Cannavaro, who captained Italy to the title in 2006, has built his side around defensive structure and physically tested, experienced players.
A defence-first identity
Accounts of Cannavaro's reign, including match data compiled by Squawka, point to defensive discipline as the foundation. Uzbekistan have beaten Kuwait and Egypt and held Iran without a goal, results defined by a compact shape rather than attacking ambition. The team defends in a back five with three midfielders screening the central channels, then breaks vertically once it regains the ball, pushing the full-backs forward to free the wingers on the flanks.
Shomurodov leads, Khusanov a concern
Eldor Shomurodov, the captain and Uzbekistan's all-time leading scorer with 44 international goals, will lead the attack in Mexico City. The defence is built around Abdukodir Khusanov, who joined Manchester City in January 2025 but has had limited Premier League minutes since and arrives short of match sharpness. Cannavaro has also leaned on midfielders such as Akmal Mozgovoy and Aziz Ganiev and freshened the forward line as he settles on his first-choice group.
Group K across three venues
After the Colombia opener in Mexico City on June 17, Uzbekistan travel to the United States. They face Portugal in Houston on June 23, a fixture that could prove decisive for their hopes of advancing, then close the group against the Democratic Republic of Congo in Atlanta on June 27.
Final 26 confirmed on June 2
Cannavaro's group is an expanded squad rather than a locked roster. Like every nation, Uzbekistan must confirm a final 26-player list with FIFA by June 2, when the official squads are published. Early reports listed outdated clubs for several players, so the affiliations here reflect verified records.
Reporting: Colombia One and the Uzbekistan Football Association, May 29, 2026. FIFA confirms each nation's official 26-player squad on June 2.