Uzbekistan are making their historic World Cup debut in 2026, with a squad featuring a mix of domestic stars and key players from leagues in Iran, the UAE, and Turkiye. Led by captain Eldor Shomurodov and head coach Fabio Cannavaro, the roster relies heavily on homegrown talent and only one player based in Europe—Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov.
Key Takeaways
- Uzbekistan are making their first-ever appearance at a FIFA World Cup.
- Italian legend Fabio Cannavaro was appointed head coach of Uzbekistan in October 2025 following their qualification.
- Captain Eldor Shomurodov, Uzbekistan’s all-time leading goalscorer with 44 goals in 90 caps, will lead the attack.
- The roster is not based mainly in Europe; only defender Abdukodir Khusanov plays for Manchester City in England.
- Uzbekistan opens their World Cup history against Colombia on June 18, 2026, at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Who Is Leading the Uzbekistan World Cup 2026 Squad?
Fabio Cannavaro serves as the head coach and manager for the national team heading into their maiden appearance at the FIFA World Cup. The Italian, who captained Italy to victory at the 2006 World Cup and won the Ballon d’Or that same year, takes on his first role in charge of a national team after Uzbekistan secured their historic qualification through the third round of AFC qualifiers under interim coach Temur Kapadze. Cannavaro was appointed in October 2025 to oversee the final preparations for the tournament.
The coaching staff faces the unique challenge of guiding a group of first-time participants through a demanding group stage. Cannavaro must balance tactical discipline with the immense pressure of leading the team on football’s biggest stage against elite international opposition.
What Are the Key Players to Watch in the Uzbekistan World Cup 2026 Squad?
With no major injury concerns disrupting the roster, attention turns to the standout talents who will drive Uzbekistan’s hopes during their World Cup journey. The squad features a blend of experienced campaigners and highly rated young playmakers.
The focal point of the attack is Captain Eldor Shomurodov. As Uzbekistan’s all-time leading goalscorer with 44 goals in 90 caps, he will be tasked with translating his prolific domestic form to the international stage at the World Cup.
At the back, Manchester City’s Abdukodir Khusanov stands out as the squad’s highest-profile player. The first Uzbek footballer to play in the Premier League, Khusanov joined City from Lens in January 2025 for a fee of around 40 million euros. His presence provides a crucial link to European top-flight competition and offers the team immense tactical flexibility.
In the midfield, young attacking talent Abbosbek Fayzullaev, who plays for Istanbul Basaksehir in Turkiye, is highly rated as a future star. He will be supported by experienced creative forces like Jaloliddin Masharipov of Esteghlal in Iran, whose vision and technical ability will be vital for unlocking defenses in Group K.
What Is the Full Roster of the Uzbekistan World Cup 2026 Team?
The final squad comprises 26 players: three goalkeepers, ten defenders, ten midfielders, and three forwards. Importantly, this is not a roster based mainly in Europe; only one player—Abdukodir Khusanov at Manchester City—plays in a major European league. The rest of the squad is comprised of players from Uzbekistan’s domestic league as well as top clubs in Iran, the UAE, and Turkiye. Within the domestic setup, Pakhtakor has the most representatives with four players, followed by Neftchi with three and Nasaf with two.
Notable cuts from the extended provisional list included Ruslanbek Jiyanov and Sherzod Temirov, as coach Cannavaro narrowed down the selection to his preferred 26 for the tournament.
Goalkeepers
- Utkir Yusupov (Navbahor, Uzbekistan)
- Abduvohid Nematov (Nasaf, Uzbekistan)
- Botirali Ergashev (Neftchi, Uzbekistan)
Defenders
- Abdukodir Khusanov (Manchester City, England)
- Khojiakbar Alijonov (Pakhtakor, Uzbekistan)
- Farrukh Sayfiev (Neftchi, Uzbekistan)
- Rustam Ashurmatov (Esteghlal, Iran)
- Umar Eshmurodov (Nasaf, Uzbekistan)
- Sherzod Nasrullaev (Pakhtakor, Uzbekistan)
- Abdulla Abdullaev (Dibba, UAE)
- Avazbek Ulmasaliev (AGMK, Uzbekistan)
- Jakhongir Urozov (Dinamo, Uzbekistan)
- Bekhruz Karimov (Surkhon, Uzbekistan)
Midfielders
- Akmal Mozgovoy (Pakhtakor, Uzbekistan)
- Otabek Shukurov (Baniyas, UAE)
- Jamshid Iskanderov (Neftchi, Uzbekistan)
- Odil Khamrobekov (Tractor, Iran)
- Jaloliddin Masharipov (Esteghlal, Iran)
- Oston Urunov (Persepolis, Iran)
- Dostonbek Khamdamov (Pakhtakor, Uzbekistan)
- Aziz Ganiev (Al Bataeh, UAE)
- Abbosbek Fayzullaev (Istanbul Basaksehir, Turkiye)
- Sherzod Esanov (Bukhara, Uzbekistan)
Forwards
- Eldor Shomurodov (Istanbul Basaksehir, Turkiye)
- Igor Sergeev (Persepolis, Iran)
- Azizbek Omonov (Dinamo, Uzbekistan)
Squad Composition Breakdown
| Categorization | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Confirmed Players | 26 |
| Players Based in Europe | 1 player (Abdukodir Khusanov at Manchester City) |
| Most Represented Domestic Club | Pakhtakor (4 players) |
| Top Foreign League Representation | Iran, UAE, and Turkiye |
Where Will Uzbekistan Play Their Group K Matches?
Uzbekistan has been drawn into a highly competitive Group K alongside Portugal, Colombia, and DR Congo. It is a very tough group for the debutants, as Portugal features Cristiano Ronaldo and Colombia boasts James Rodriguez, while DR Congo also presents a strong challenge. The squad will need to navigate this demanding path without any home advantage, as the World Cup hosts are the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Uzbekistan’s World Cup campaign kicks off on June 18, 2026, with their first ever World Cup match against Colombia at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. After that Group K opener, they will face Portugal in Houston before concluding their group campaign against DR Congo in Atlanta.
| Day | Date | Matchup | Venue (FIFA Name) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | June 18, 2026 | Uzbekistan vs Colombia | Estadio Azteca in Mexico City |
| Tuesday | June 23, 2026 | Portugal vs Uzbekistan | NRG Stadium in Houston |
| Sunday | June 28, 2026 | DR Congo vs Uzbekistan | Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players from European clubs are in the Uzbekistan World Cup 2026 Squad?
The roster includes only one player based in Europe—defender Abdukodir Khusanov at Manchester City. The rest of the squad plays domestically in Uzbekistan or in top leagues across Iran, the UAE, and Turkiye.
Who is the captain of the Uzbekistan World Cup 2026 Squad?
Eldor Shomurodov serves as the team’s captain. He is Uzbekistan’s all-time leading goalscorer with 44 goals in 90 caps and will be the focal point of the attack during their historic World Cup appearance.
Which club has the most players in the Uzbekistan squad?
Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan has the most representatives with four players. They are followed by Neftchi with three and Nasaf with two.
When does Uzbekistan play their first World Cup match?
Their first World Cup match is against Colombia on Thursday, June 18, 2026. The game will be played at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
