UZB
FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 · GROUP K · POT 3

Uzbekistan
World Cup 26-man squad

Manager Fabio Cannavaro · Italian head coach since 2024 (aged 52). Captain of Italy's 2006 World Cup-winning squad (Ballon d'Or winner). Coached Napoli, Guangzhou Evergrande (AFC CL winner) and Benevento. Engineered Uzbekistan's first-ever World Cup.
MD1 Jun 17 vs Colombia MD2 Jun 23 vs Portugal MD3 Jun 27 vs DR Congo
0th World Cup appearance · best finish: Debut ()
26
Squad size
28.0
Avg. age
11 / 26
Overseas-based
0 / 26
WC veterans / Debutants
TEAM STORY

Fabio Cannavaro's (Italian) Uzbekistan announced their final 26 on June 1 (trimmed from 40 → 30 → 26). This is the country's first-ever World Cup — 35 years after independence in 1991, the 2006 World Cup-winning Italian captain delivers it.

Spine: captain Eldor Shomurodov (İstanbul Başakşehir, all-time top scorer with 44 goals) + Abdukodir Khusanov (Manchester City, £40M signing in 2025) + Abbosbek Fayzullaev (İstanbul Başakşehir) + Otabek Shukurov (UAE) + Jaloliddin Masharipov (Esteghlal). Türkiye/Iran/UAE league-heavy, with only Khusanov in Europe's top 5 leagues.

Group K opponents: Colombia, Portugal, DR Congo. June 17 vs COL (Azteca at 2,250m) → June 23 vs POR (NRG) → June 27 vs COD (Atlanta). For debutants, any point is historic — an R32 berth (possible via best-third) would be a global shock.

PREDICTED XI

LIKELY 4-2-3-1.

Cannavaro's preferred 4-2-3-1. Captain Shomurodov (Başakşehir, 44 goals) at No.9, Fayzullaev (Başakşehir) at No.10, with Urunov and Masharipov flanking. Hamrobekov + Shukurov as the double pivot. Manchester City's Khusanov + Ashurmatov at CB.

4-2-3-1 (predicted)
KEY PLAYERS

KEY PLAYERS.

The five players who set the tone in the group stage — by role and trait.

14
ST · FW
Eldor Shomurodov
İstanbul Başakşehir · 30
90 caps · 44G WC debut
Captain & all-time top scorer (44 goals)
CAPTAIN
2
CB · DF
Abdukodir Khusanov
Manchester City · 22 · Premier League
25 caps · 0G WC debut
Manchester City CB (£40M signing)
ACE
22
CAM · MF
Abbosbek Fayzullaev
İstanbul Başakşehir · 22
30 caps · 8G WC debut
Başakşehir's young attacking midfielder
10
CAM · MF
Jaloliddin Masharipov
Esteghlal · 32
74 caps · 12G WC debut
Creative engine (12 goals)
7
CDM · MF
Otabek Shukurov
Baniyas · 29
82 caps · 9G WC debut
Midfield pillar (UAE-based)
SQUAD

SQUAD 26.

GK GOALKEEPERS 3
DF DEFENDERS 10
MF MIDFIELDERS 10
FW FORWARDS 3
GROUP K

GROUP K.

POR
Portugal
POT 1
COD
DR Congo
POT 2
UZB
Uzbekistan
POT 3
COL
Colombia
POT 4
Wed, Jun 17
Colombia vs Uzbekistan
Estadio Azteca · Mexico City
Uzbekistan's first-ever World Cup opens at Azteca (2,250m altitude) vs Colombia (James, Luis Díaz). Khusanov (Man City) anchors a historic defensive stand.
View lineups →
MD1
Tue, Jun 23
Portugal vs Uzbekistan
Houston Stadium · Houston, TX
Houston clash vs Pot 1 Portugal (Ronaldo). Cannavaro's defensive structure faces European royalty.
View lineups →
MD2
Sat, Jun 27
DR Congo vs Uzbekistan
Atlanta Stadium · Atlanta, GA
Group decider vs DR Congo. Two long-awaited returnees clash — debutants chase three points.
View lineups →
MD3

Road to the final

Spoiler-free: the potential bracket route by final group position. No results shown.

Win Group K
  1. Round of 32 Jul 03 · Kansas City vs 3rd place (D/E/I/J/L)
  2. Round of 16 Jul 07 · Vancouver vs Winner of Match 85
  3. Quarter-finals Jul 11 · Kansas City vs Winner of Match 95
  4. Semi-finals Jul 15 · Atlanta vs Winner of Match 99
  5. Final Jul 19 · East Rutherford vs Winner of Match 101
Runners-up, Group K
  1. Round of 32 Jul 02 · Toronto vs Runners-up Group L
  2. Round of 16 Jul 06 · Arlington vs Winner of Match 84
  3. Quarter-finals Jul 10 · Inglewood vs Winner of Match 94
  4. Semi-finals Jul 14 · Arlington vs Winner of Match 97
  5. Final Jul 19 · East Rutherford vs Winner of Match 102
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