Uzbekistan's preparations for the 2026 World Cup are entering a new phase. Head coach Fabio Cannavaro has announced a 40-man squad that will undergo a three-week training camp from May 6 to 26 at the National Football Center in Tashkent, featuring closed-door friendlies against domestic Super League clubs.
Captain Shomurodov, forward Faizullaev, midfielder Shukurov, and defender Khusanov headline the list. Several uncapped players, including 21-year-old forward Abdurazzakov and highly-rated midfielder Esanov, hope to impress Cannavaro and earn a spot in the 26-man final squad to be announced on June 2.
Uzbekistan's World Cup debut begins in Group K against Colombia, followed by matches against Portugal in Houston and the Democratic Republic of Congo in Atlanta. The Central Asian nation is determined to make a strong impression in their first World Cup appearance.
