Uzbekistan head coach Fabio Cannavaro is considering stepping down from his role. The 2006 Ballon d'Or winner's potential departure comes after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) postponed the 2027 Asian Cup to December 2027.
The AFC confirmed the delay on Tuesday, citing 'exceptional circumstances' and 'substantial logistical complexities' in host nation Saudi Arabia. This postponement removes the team's primary competitive target for the next year, leaving a schedule devoid of official matches. The team's recent form across the last three matches shows two wins and one defeat, the most recent being a 2-0 loss to South Korea on October 6.
Cannavaro, 53, was appointed in October 2025. His 14-game tenure has yielded seven wins and seven defeats. His final planned match was a 2-0 loss to South Korea on October 6. However, the team had shown positive form just before that, securing convincing friendly wins over Syria (4-1) and Iran (3-1). In the victory over Syria, goals came from Esanov, Mozgovoy, and a double from Norchaev.
The Italian's major achievement was guiding Uzbekistan to the 2026 World Cup. The team's campaign ended in the group stage with three defeats, falling to Colombia (1-3), Portugal (0-5), and DR Congo (1-3).
Uzbekistan's next fixture is a home friendly against Russia on November 12. The team's upcoming fixtures list is now comprised solely of friendlies. While no official statement has been made regarding Cannavaro's future, speculation about his exit has intensified following the AFC's announcement.
If Cannavaro departs, the Uzbekistan Football Association will need to find a new head coach ahead of the next international window. According to the team's current stats, the top scorer this season is Otabek O'runov with four goals in nine appearances. Preparations for the match against Russia begin this week.
The report in full is at goal.com
