The Uzbekistan Men’s team has announced their 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and their priority has been based on experience and performance. They have a brilliant tactician at hand in the form of Fabio Cannavaro, and it will be a huge moment for their country as they make their debut.
Eldor Shumurodov will be their key player in the tournament as he is their lethal striker and the leading goal-scorer for the nation as well. Abdukodir Khusanov will be another solid player in their defensive setup, as he had a breakout season in the Ligue 1. It will all depend on how Cannavaro can marshal his resources on the biggest stage of world football.
Otabek Shukurov could be yet another game-changing addition to their squad as he specialises in the midfield with an excellent capacity in distributing long balls and keeping possession of the ball.
Considering their recent run in international football, it is quite evident that they are able to function well as a unit. They have faced just the solitary loss in their last 5 games, and they have been able to stick together as well.
There has been a huge turnover in their structure since the arrival of Fabio Cannavaro, and their entry into the World Cup is a huge testament to it. They have been drawn into a group alongside Portugal, Colombia, and DR Congo. They could probably be one of the sides that can cause upsets to the bigger teams in the group, and the viewers will keep an eye on their progress in Group K.
Uzbekistan’s Squad for 2026 FIFA World Cup
Goalkeepers: Utkir Yusupov, Abduvohid Nematov, Botirali Ergashev
Defenders: Abdukodir Khusanov, Rustam Ashurmatov, Avazbek Ulmasaliev, Husniddin Aliqulov, Umar Eshmurodov, Abdulla Abdullaev, Sherzod Nasrullaev, Farrukh Sayfiev, Muhammadkodir Hamraliev
Midfielders: Otabek Shukurov, Odiljon Hamrobekov, Jaloliddin Masharipov, Jamshid Iskanderov, Diyor Kholmatov, Azizbek Turgunboev, Hojimat Erkinov, Sherzod Esanov, Akmal Mozgovoy, Aziz Ganiev
Forwards: Eldor Shomurodov, Abbosbek Fayzullaev, Igor Sergeev, Oston Urunov, Jasur Yakhshiboev, Sherzod Temirov, Aziz Amonov.
As the White Wolves gear up for an exciting tournament for football on the biggest stage of world football, they will be looking to collect a couple of points in their campaign. Considering it to be their debut in the FIFA World Cup, there wouldn’t be much expectation from the team, but they wouldn’t go down without a fight. The possibility of an upset happening to either Colombia or Portugal could be high, as such incidents have happened before. It would be a great result for Uzbekistan if they can win at least one game in their FIFA World Cup debut.
