This is the one they had waited a generation for. The White Wolves are at a World Cup for the first time in their history, ending decades of near-misses since independence with a direct qualification from Asia. And they arrive with a remarkable coach: Fabio Cannavaro, the man who lifted the trophy as Italy's captain in 2006 and won the Ballon d'Or that year. He leads a squad built around captain and record scorer Eldor Shomurodov, Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov and playmaker Abbosbek Fayzullaev. Uzbekistan land in Group K with Portugal, Colombia and DR Congo. This is the squad, the group, the fixtures and the story of a debut decades in the making.
Uzbekistan blend a record-breaking captain with a genuine European-level defender and a creative core from Asia's leagues. These are the names the debut will turn on.
The record scorer. Uzbekistan's all-time leading goalscorer and captain has played in Serie A and in Turkey, and is the focal point of the attack. The face of the team's historic first World Cup, he carries the goal burden and the nation's hopes.
The standout name. At 22, the Manchester City defender is the only member of the squad playing at the very top of European football. A quick, aggressive centre-back who won the FA Cup and League Cup, he anchors the back line and raises the team's ceiling.
The playmaker. Shomurodov's Istanbul Basaksehir teammate is Uzbekistan's chief creative spark, a press-resistant attacking midfielder who breaks lines and supplies the front line. One of the most exciting young talents Asia is sending to the finals.
The controller. A composed, experienced midfielder based in the UAE with Baniyas, Shukurov screens the defence and sets the tempo, giving Cannavaro the balance to let Fayzullaev and the full-backs push forward.
The flair. A skilful, direct wide player now at Esteghlal in Iran, Masharipov carries the ball and beats his man, offering Uzbekistan an outlet and a source of moments of individual quality.
The World Cup winner. Italy's 2006-winning captain and that year's Ballon d'Or holder took the Uzbekistan job in October 2025. Few coaches at the finals know the demands of a World Cup as intimately as the man leading the debutants.
Here is the 26-man squad Fabio Cannavaro named for Uzbekistan's first World Cup, set out by position. Eldor Shomurodov is captain. The group is drawn largely from the Uzbek Super League and clubs around Asia, headed by Manchester City's Abdukodir Khusanov. Club listings can shift across the summer window.
Cannavaro leaned on the spine that won qualification, with much of the squad coming from Pakhtakor, Nasaf, Neftchi and Navbahor at home, supplemented by players spread across the Iranian, Turkish and Gulf leagues. The outlier, and the star, is Abdukodir Khusanov, whose move to Manchester City symbolises how far Uzbek football has come. Club listings can change over the summer transfer window.
Three threads define Uzbekistan's first World Cup: a long wait ended, a coaching coup, and a player carrying the flag at the top level.
Decades of near-misses, finally over. After repeatedly falling short in play-offs and final rounds since independence, Uzbekistan sealed direct qualification in June 2025 through Asia's expanded route to the finals.
The 2006 World Cup winner in the dugout. Timur Kapadze guided Uzbekistan over the line, then the federation landed Cannavaro in October 2025 to lead the debut, with Kapadze staying on the staff.
The Manchester City man. His rise to the Premier League champions, complete with FA Cup and League Cup medals, is proof that Uzbek talent can compete at the very top, and he is the squad's standout asset.
Uzbekistan were drawn into Group K with Portugal, Colombia and DR Congo. Portugal and Colombia are the favourites, so the realistic target for the debutants is to beat DR Congo and steal something from one of the bigger names, chasing one of the best third-placed spots. Their tournament starts at the most famous stadium of all.
Uzbekistan's first ever World Cup match comes against Colombia at the Estadio Azteca on 17 June, a fitting stage for a historic debut. For the full picture of all 104 games, see the WorldCuply.com match schedule, and read our Group K guides on Portugal, Colombia and DR Congo.
Uzbekistan are debutants and clear outsiders, but the expanded format and a smart, organised side give them a puncher's chance:
Just being here is the achievement of a generation. But this is no tourist side: organised, well coached and with a Premier League defender at its heart, Uzbekistan will arrive determined to make their debut count.
Uzbekistan are one of 48 nations heading to the 2026 World Cup. Explore the rest of the WorldCuply.com guide:
Uzbekistan's Group K opponents, Ronaldo's last dance and a deep, talented Portuguese squad for 2026.
Read the Portugal guide ›Uzbekistan's opening opponents, James Rodriguez and a dangerous Colombian outsider in Group K.
Read the Colombia guide ›The Group K rivals Uzbekistan must target, the Leopards back at the World Cup with talent across Europe.
Read the DR Congo guide ›All 104 fixtures across 16 host cities, with kickoff times you can filter to your team.
Open the schedule ›This guide was hand-written from the following reporting and reference pages, used to confirm Uzbekistan's squad, coach, qualification, group and fixtures:
WorldCuply.com is the premium .com for 2026 World Cup content, coverage and commerce. The listing price rises $100 every day until kickoff on 11 June 2026. Every day you wait, the ask goes up.