Uzbekistan has secured a historic spot in the FIFA World Cup, marking the tournament debut for the national team known as the White Wolves.
The squad successfully navigated a grueling Asian qualification campaign to earn their place on the global stage.
The qualification journey began under Srecko Katanec in 2021, who implemented a highly effective 3-4-3 tactical system.
Subsequent managers Timur Kapadze and now Fabio Cannavaro chose to maintain this strategic formation throughout the campaign.
During the initial group phase, Uzbekistan progressed smoothly by defeating Turkmenistan and Hong Kong, while also holding powerhouse Iran to two draws.
The subsequent round proved favorable, allowing the team to avoid heavyweights like Japan, South Korea, and Australia.
The White Wolves demonstrated remarkable consistency across both qualification rounds, suffering only a single 3-2 defeat against Qatar out of 16 total matches.
Notably, all four encounters against regional giants Iran concluded in competitive stalemates.
Goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov played a definitive role in the historic qualification run.
The national number one made crucial penalty saves during two separate matches against North Korea, securing vital points for his team.
Management changes occurred unexpectedly during the qualifiers due to the deteriorating health of Katanec.
The Slovenian tactician missed several matches in Tashkent before officially stepping down from his post in January 2025.
"If I leave the national team for the third time due to health reasons, I will never return," Katanec said in the summer of 2024.
Kapadze, who previously guided the Uzbekistan Olympic team to Paris 2024, temporarily took over the senior side.
Katanec noted that his successor finished preparing the meal he had originally started.
Cannavaro Takes the Helm
Following guaranteed qualification, the Uzbekistan football association sought a high-profile foreign manager, ultimately selecting Cannavaro from a competitive shortlist.
The Italian tactician, who famously captained Italy to global glory, signed an initial two-year contract.
"I’m happy to be given this opportunity, it is a great honour.
I came here not to change everything, but to continue the work that has been started," Cannavaro said on the day he arrived last year.
Cannavaro brings immense tournament experience, having played 18 matches across four global tournaments between 1998 and 2010.
However, his previous coaching spells at Guangzhou Evergrande, Benevento, Udinese, and Dinamo Zagreb yielded mixed results.
"I have played many games on the field where I thought I had given everything," Cannavaro said.
"But after hanging up my boots and starting my coaching career, I realised that 90 minutes on the field can never be compared to the life of a coach," he added.
Key Players and Prospects
Defensive prodigy Abdukodir Khusanov remains the most recognizable figure in the national squad.
The 22-year-old central defender previously endured harsh winter training conditions at Energetik-BGU Minsk in Belarus before moving to Lens.
"In Belarus, I suffered away from my parents – often there were training sessions three times a day.
If there was heavy snow in winter, we would clear the field ourselves and then train," Khusanov says.
Following an impressive 2023 season, Khusanov transferred to Manchester City, where he secured both the FA Cup and League Cup.
Manager Pep Guardiola highly praised the young defender for his work ethic.
"He is a top signing," Pep Guardiola said. "He is so coachable.
He is always training good and gives 100%."
Teenage right-back Behruz Karimov represents another exciting prospect for the team.
After debuting for Surkhan and scoring his first professional goal, the young talent overcame a fractured toe operation to make the final squad.
"I’ve been playing football since I was six years old.
When I was in high school, I was rejected by the under-19 team of Navbahor because I was too young.
After that I started trying to prove that age is just a number," Karimov says.
"After the injury I was very depressed, but everyone around me supported me. This also helped me get back on my feet faster," he added.
Winger Dostonbek Khamdamov has experienced a career resurgence under Cannavaro after previously falling out of favor.
The versatile attacker has accumulated five domestic league titles and three cup victories during his career.
The White Wolves will face a challenging set of fixtures in Group K. The team is scheduled to play their matches across various host cities in June.
Uzbekistan opens their campaign against Colombia in Mexico City on 17 June.
They will then travel to Houston to face Portugal on 23 June, before concluding the group stage against DR Congo in Atlanta on 27 June.
Uzbek fans are expected to travel in large numbers, following their positive impressions left during the Paris Olympics.
Supporters frequently chant a traditional anthem celebrating their descent from regional historical empire builders Timur and Babur.
Political relations between the United States and Uzbekistan remain strong ahead of the sporting event.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with the American administration in Washington in February 2026 to discuss bilateral ties.
"Shavkat Mirziyoyev is my friend," Trump said when they were together at the Board of Peace in Washington.
"He’s got one of the most difficult names in history, but that’s OK, it doesn’t matter. Your country is doing great.
You’re doing great and just no problems. Every time I see him, nope, we’re doing good, no problems," Trump added.
Mirziyoyev expressed mutual respect during their diplomatic meetings late last year. The Uzbek president explicitly noted the global significance of the American leadership during their discussions in November.
"In Uzbekistan, we call you the president of the world," Mirziyoyev told Trump.
