Uzbekistan announces 30-member squad for FIFA World Cup-2026

Uzbekistan have officially announced their 30-member squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, marking a historic moment as the nation prepares for its first-ever appearance on football’s biggest stage after nearly three decades of qualification attempts.

Head coach Fabio Cannavaro finalized the squad following a three-week training camp in Tashkent, trimming the preliminary 40-man list down to 30 players ahead of the tournament.

Defender Ibrokhimkhail Yuldoshev and forward Alisher Odilov missed out due to injuries, while several experienced names were retained as Uzbekistan gear up for a challenging group-stage campaign.

Placed in Group K, Uzbekistan will open their World Cup journey against Colombia on June 17 before facing Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal on June 23. Their final group-stage match will be against DR Congo on June 27.

The squad features a blend of experienced internationals and emerging talents, including Roma forward Eldor Shomurodov, rising star Abbosbek Fayzullayev, and Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov.

Football fans across Uzbekistan are eagerly awaiting the country’s historic World Cup debut, with expectations high for the Central Asian side to make a strong impression on the global stage.