Cannavaro Confident as Uzbekistan Prepares for Historic World Cup Opener Against Colombia

Uzbekistan head coach Fabio Cannavaro and captain Eldor Shomurodov expressed confidence and readiness ahead of their historic opening FIFA World Cup group stage match against Colombia on June 18, 2026. At a pre-match press conference, Cannavaro confirmed that the entire squad is fit and available for selection, while offering a measured assessment of the challenge ahead. He acknowledged that Group C opponents Colombia and Portugal are powerhouse teams with exceptional individual talent, requiring Uzbekistan to approach these fixtures with appropriate caution.

Cannavaro praised defender Abdukodir Khusanov as a vital part of the backline who currently operates at a high level but possesses the potential to develop further. The Italian coach reflected on the differences between his playing career and his current managerial role, noting that coaching requires him to guide and communicate with 26 different individuals simultaneously. He emphasized that the tournament represents a platform for Uzbekistan to showcase its best qualities and the distinctive Uzbek mentality on the world stage.

Regarding midfielder Jaloliddin Masharipov's late omission from the final roster, Cannavaro explained that the decision was based on Masharipov having accumulated only 20 minutes of competitive match play over the preceding eight months. While the player was dealing with a separate injury—distinct from reported knee issues—the coaching staff decided against taking a health risk with such an important player.

Team captain Eldor Shomurodov echoed his coach's focused perspective, describing the atmosphere within the squad as excellent. He acknowledged natural excitement surrounding Uzbekistan's first-ever World Cup appearance but stressed that players feel no negative pressure. Shomurodov expressed pride at representing the nation as captain and stated that the squad is fully prepared to secure a positive result. He called on fans across Uzbekistan to support the team as they aim to gain invaluable elite-level experience and test themselves against the world's best.

Cannavaro also addressed concerns raised by midfielder Abbosbek Fayzullaev regarding the intensity of pre-tournament training camps, noting that enduring hardships is a natural part of preparation and necessary for teams seeking to prove themselves and achieve success on the world stage.