The Uzbekistan national football team finished at the bottom of Group K in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after suffering three consecutive defeats. According to a report by Squawka, the team played its first World Cup match at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City against Colombia.

The team's current league standing is 4th in the World Cup with 0 points, having recorded 0 wins, 0 draws, and 3 losses from their three games. Uzbekistan scored only two goals across the three matches while conceding 11, resulting in a -9 goal difference. Their recent form shows five straight losses (LLLLL), with the last result being a 3-1 defeat to DR Congo on June 27, 2026, at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

What happened when Cannavaro replaced Kapadze?

The team is managed by Fabio Cannavaro, who captained Italy to World Cup glory in 2006. His appointment in late 2025, replacing Timur Kapadze, was a controversial one. Squawka noted that his arrival sparked debate, as Kapadze had left the team unbeaten during his tenure. Cannavaro shifted the team's structure towards a back-three system, likely featuring Abdukodir Khusanov, Rustam Ashurmatov, and Abdulla Abdullaev.

Which players held key roles in the squad?

In goal, Utkir Yusupov was the likely starter, though he faced competition from Abduvohid Nematov. Jaloliddin Masharipov served as the primary playmaker, registering four assists in qualifying and two in five appearances at the 2023 Asian Cup. Eldor Shomurodov is the team captain and top scorer with 43 goals in 93 caps, positioning him as the squad's main Golden Boot contender.

The young talent Abdukodir Khusanov, aged 21, was signed by Manchester City for €40m in 2025. He averages 1.69 tackles and 3.39 interceptions per 90 minutes in the 2025-26 Champions League and has 24 senior caps. Another promising player, Abbosbek Fayzullaev, aged 22, has scored nine goals in 34 national team appearances and won the 2023-24 Russian Premier League Breakthrough of the Season award.

How did Uzbekistan qualify for the World Cup?

Uzbekistan made history as the first Central Asian nation to qualify for the World Cup. They finished second in Group E of Round Two with four wins and two draws, then secured their place by finishing behind Iran in Round Three, amassing 21 points from six wins and two draws. The team's next fixture is an away match against South Korea on October 6, 2026, which you can find on our fixtures page. The team's current context and detailed statistics are available on our stats and standings pages.

In their second group match, Uzbekistan lost 5-0 to Portugal in Houston, a game featuring Cristiano Ronaldo. The team's immediate focus is on rebuilding and developing the potential shown by the players listed on our squad page.