The head coach of the Uzbekistan Men’s National Football Team, Italian Fabio Cannavaro, has announced his 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Uzbekistan Football Association (UFA) published the final list before FIFA’s June 2nd deadline for all federations to submit their official rosters. The Asian team is finalizing preparations for its tournament debut, scheduled for June 18th against Colombia at the Mexico City Stadium, in the opening match of Group K.
The Italian strategist took over the “White Wolves” bench in October 2025, replacing Timur Kapadze, the local coach who led Uzbekistan to its historic qualification in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) qualifiers. Since the change, Cannavaro has structured a system that prioritizes international experience and playing time in physically demanding leagues.
Defensive solidity supported by real results
Squawka’s match data from Cannavaro’s games in charge shows tactical discipline as his non-negotiable foundation, with the team built around defensive structure above all else. Cannavaro’s early results tell the story clearly. Uzbekistan has defeated Kuwait and Egypt and held Iran without goals, three matches defined by defensive solidity and controlled transitions rather than attacking ambition.
In practice, the “White Wolves'” approach translates into a system that prioritizes building up numbers in their own half. When defending, the team packs in with a back five and three midfielders who close down the central channels to force the opposition into errors. Once they regain possession, the transition is direct and vertical, pushing the full-backs forward into midfield to enable the wingers’ speed and overlapping runs down the flanks.
Relevance of the figures abroad and in the local tournament
The final squad list features key changes in midfield and attack compared to previous lists, and also reflects the current status of its main players abroad.
The captain and all-time leading scorer for the national team, Eldor Shomurodov, who plays for AS Roma in Italy, will lead the attack at Mexico City Stadium. Center-back Abdukodir Khusanov is the coaching staff’s primary concern heading into the tournament. The defender moved to Manchester City for US$44 million in Jan. 2025 but has barely featured in the Premier League, arriving at the World Cup short of match sharpness. In midfield, Cannavaro confirmed the inclusion of dynamic players like Sherzod Esanov, Akmal Mozgovoy, and Aziz Ganiev, while the attack has been bolstered by the attacking prowess of Sherzod Temirov and Aziz Amonov.
Final list of players called up for Cannavaro
Goalkeepers
- Utkir Yusupov (IRN, Foolad)
- Abduvohid Nematov (UZB, Nasaf)
- Botirali Ergashev (UZB, Neftchi Fergana)
Defenses
- Abdukodir Khusanov (ENG, Manchester City)
- Rustam Ashurmatov (IRN, Esteghlal)
- Avazbek Ulmasaliev (UZB, AGMK)
- Husniddin Aliqulov (TUR, Çaykur Rizespor)
- Umar Eshmurodov (MAS, Selangor)
- Abdulla Abdullaev (UAE, Khor Fakkan)
- Sherzod Nasrullaev (UZB, Nasaf)
- Farrukh Sayfiev (UZB, Navbahor)
- Muhammadkodir Hamraliev (UZB, Pakhtakor)
Midfielders
- Otabek Shukurov (TUR, Kayserispor)
- Odiljon Hamrobekov (UZB, Navbahor)
- Jaloliddin Masharipov (IRN, Esteghlal)
- Jamshid Iskanderov (UZB, Navbahor)
- Diyor Kholmatov (UZB, Pakhtakor)
- Azizbek Turgunboev (TUR, Sivasspor)
- Hojimat Erkinov (UAE, Al Wahda)
- Sherzod Esanov (RUS, FC Pari Nizhny Novgorod)
- Akmal Mozgovoy (UZB, Nasaf)
- Aziz Ganiev (UAE, Shabab Al Ahli)
Forwards
- Eldor Shomurodov (ITA, AS Roma)
- Abbosbek Fayzullaev (RUS, CSKA Moscow)
- Igor Sergeev (THA, BG Pathum United)
- Oston Urunov (IRN, Persepolis)
- Jasur Yakhshiboev (KAZ, Ordabasy)
- Sherzod Temirov (HKG, Kitchee)
- Aziz Amonov (UAE, Khor Fakkan)
Uzbekistan’s schedule in Group K
The result of the match against Colombia in Mexico City will be crucial for the remainder of the Uzbek team’s group stage, before they immediately travel to the United States. After their June 18 debut, Uzbekistan moves to Houston for a June 23 clash with Portugal at Houston Stadium — a result that could prove decisive for their World Cup fate — before wrapping up the group stage on June 27 against the Democratic Republic of Congo at Atlanta Stadium.