This is set to be an exciting summer for Uzbekistan. The Asian nation are in the World Cup for the first time ever.
It leaves them a bit of an unknown quantity, and they aren’t expected to go too deep in the competition. But there are a couple of well-known names looking to cause an upset.
Get all the latest Uzbekistan stats as the tournament unfolds plus the latest squad, manager and fixture information for the Asian side here.
Uzbekistan route to the World Cup
Uzbekistan were magnificent in qualifying for this tournament, performing above all expectations to lose just one of their 16 matches.
Having entered in Round Two, the White Wolves went unbeaten to finish second in Group E with four wins and two draws, both against Iran, to progress to Round Three.
In that round, Uzbekistan were again matched with Iran who they again finished behind despite drawing both games against them. Six wins from the other eight matches however were enough to give Fabio Cannavaro’s men 21 points and secure their spot at this summer’s tournament.
Uzbekistan World Cup 2026 fixtures
Uzbekistan will play their first ever World Cup match in one of the tournament’s most iconic stadiums as they take on Colombia at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on 17th June.
The White Wolves will then travel north to Houston, where Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal will await them at the NRG Stadium on 23rd June. Their group stage wraps up against Congo DR at the Mercedez-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on 27th June.
READ MORE: Get the latest Uzbekistan World Cup 2026 outright odds here
Uzbekistan key players for World Cup 2026
Uzbekistan top World Cup Golden Boot contender: Eldor Shomurodov
- Key stat: With 43 goals in 88 caps, Eldor Shomurodov has scored 11 international goals more than any other Uzbekistani player in history.
Manchester City’s Abdukodir Khusanov is perhaps the most recognisable name in this squad to Premier League fans. However, Eldor Shomurodov is real poster boy for the Uzbekistan team with 43 goals to his name in 88 caps. The Roma striker enjoyed a productive loan spell side Istanbul Basaksehir this season where he racked up several Super Lig goals.
Uzbekistan primary playmaker: Jaloliddin Masharipov
- Key stat: Jaloliddin Masharipov recorded four assists in qualifying for this tournament and he managed two in five appearances at his last major tournament, the 2023 Asian Cup.
Winger Jaloliddin Masharipov is a guaranteed starter in Fabio Cannavaro’s side. He laid on four goals in qualifying for the tournament. A former Al-Nassr star, he currently plies his trade for Estaghlal in the Persian Gulf Pro League and with 74 caps to his name he’ll be seen as one of the manager’s trusted lieutenants on the field this summer.
Uzbekistan card magnets & top tacklers: Abdukodir Khusanov
- Key stat: Abdukodir Khusanov has averaged 1.69 tackles and 3.39 interceptions per 90 minutes in the Champions League in 2025-26.
At just 21 years old, Abdukodir Khusanov has already represented his country 24 times and was signed for an initial €40m by Manchester City in 2025. The former Lens man won 12 tackles and gave away six fouls in qualifying but his performances for the Citizens in the Champions League hint at his improved ball-winning abilities against stronger opponents. He’ll need to be at the top of his game to help shut out the likes of Portugal and Colombia this summer.
Uzbekistan rising star: Abbosbek Fayzullaev
- Key stat: Abbosbek Fayzullaev was the winner of the Breakthrough of the Season award in the 2023–24 Russian Premier League.
Although hardly a rising star among the Uzbeki ranks as an already established first-team player, Abbosbek Fayzullaev is a name that many fans may not have heard beyond the Russian Premier League and Turkish Super Lig. The 22-year-old attacking midfielder has already scored eight times in his first 30 appearances for his country though and is an exciting young talent who will look to increase his reputation with some big performances at this summer’s World Cup.
STAND-OUT STAT: Uzbekistan are the first ever Central Asian nation to qualify for the World Cup.
Uzbekistan set-piece specialists
- Penalties: Eldor Shomurodov
- Free kicks: Jaloliddin Masharipov, Abbosbek Fayzullaev
- Corners: Jaloliddin Masharipov, Abbosbek Fayzullaev
Uzbekistan tactical analysis and formation
The White Wolves know that they’ll go into their World Cup fixtures as the underdog, but their strength lies in attack where the talismanic Shomurodov has racked up over 80 caps and Fabio Cannavaro will trust him to be supplemented well by Abbosek Fayzullaev and Oston Urunov. It may be a case of the other eight players sitting deeper and looking to join the front two on the counter attack when the opportunity arises.
In terms of the back three, Man City’s Abdukodir Khusanov will start at centre-back with Rustam Ashurmatov and Abdulla Abdullaev the most likely starters alongside him. Utkir Yusupov may keep the number one jersey amid pressure from Abduvohid Nematov.
Get the latest Uzbekistan World Cup goals, assists, shots, passes and tackle stats here
Uzbekistan manager analysis
Uzbekistan are one of only a few teams at this summer’s World Cup with a manager who has won it. Fabio Cannavaro captained Italy to World Cup glory in 2006. His managerial career, however, has yet to reach the same heights as his playing days.
Cannavaro has managed clubs in China, Saudi Arabia, Italy and Croatia. He also spent a brief spell in charge of the Chinese national team but his appointment in late 2025 was a controversial one. The Italian replaced Timur Kapadze, who went unbeaten during his time in charge.
Kapadze was also a national team legend, making 119 appearances across a 13-year international career. We have yet to learn much about Cannavaro’s plans from his first four matches. The 52-year-old has focused on defensive solidity and squad rotation so far, producing encouraging results.
The stats below are from his current spell in charge of the team.
| Coach | Team | P | W | D | L | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fabio Cannavaro | Uzbekistan | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 50.00 |
Uzbekistan World Cup FAQs
Have Uzbekistan ever won the World Cup?
No, Uzbekistan have never actually qualified for the World Cup prior to this tournament.
Where did Uzbekistan finish in the last World Cup?
Uzbekistan were slightly unfortunate to miss out on qualification to the last World Cup, finishing second in Group D of AFC qualifying behind Saudi Arabia despite winning five of their eight matches.
Who will be Uzbekistan captain at the World Cup?
Eldor Shomurodov is the captain of the Uzbekistan national team and will be the first skipper to lead the team out for a World Cup fixture this summer.
Who is Uzbekistan’s top scorer at World Cups?
Given that Uzbekistan have not played or scored at the World Cup before now, they don’t have a top scorer at World Cups either. Eldor Shomurodov has scored the most goals for Uzbekistan, with a total of 43 goals.
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