Opinions, analysis and commentary
Most coverage of Uzbekistan’s World Cup debut has settled on Eldor Shomurodov as the player to watch. That framing misses the more important question: without someone capable of driving the ball out of Fabio Cannavaro’s defensive block under Premier League-level pressure, Shomurodov never sees it in dangerous positions. Against Colombia on June 17 at the Estadio Azteca, that player is Abdukodir Khusanov, and no one else in this squad does what he does.
Fabio Cannavaro was appointed Uzbekistan head coach in October 2025. His 3-4-2-1 compresses into a defensive block out of possession, using three central midfielders to close channels while wide players tuck in to form a nine or ten-man structure. In eight matches under Cannavaro, Uzbekistan has won six and drawn one. The system is built to absorb and release Shomurodov on transitions, but that release requires someone to drive out of the block under pressure with the composure to find Shomurodov in space. That requirement falls on Khusanov.
Khusanov joined Manchester City from Lens in January 2025 for approximately €40 million, becoming the first Uzbek player in the Premier League. In 2025–26, he made 17 appearances and logged 1,429 minutes. Squawka recorded a 91.7% tackle success rate, fifth highest in the league among players with at least ten attempts, and an 88.5% pass accuracy under sustained pressure. That second figure is what matters for Uzbekistan: the instinct to play forward quickly and accurately when defenders press. Colombia’s 4-2-3-1 uses Luis Díaz and Richard Ríos to press high and win the ball early. Against Uzbekistan’s domestically-based squad, Khusanov is the one player trained at that level.
Uzbekistan conceded just seven goals across ten AFC Third Round qualifying matches, the best defensive record in their group. Defending alone won’t produce a result against Colombia. Cannavaro’s system requires central defenders to step out and carry when the press draws defenders out of shape, a pattern drilled into Khusanov at City. Against Colombia’s aggressive full-back positioning, those moments will arrive. Uzbekistan needs one clean transition ending with Shomurodov in a scoring position. Khusanov’s carry, pass weight, and composure are the mechanisms, and no other player in this squad has been conditioned for it at this level.
Shomurodov’s 2025–26 season at Istanbul Basaksehir produced 22 goals in 34 Süper Lig appearances, sharing the Turkish top-scorer award with Paul Onuachu. He arrives as Uzbekistan’s all-time leading scorer with 44 international goals in 90 caps and five in the full AFC qualifying campaign. His game is built on attacking space behind high lines, exactly where Colombia’s full-backs leave gaps on transitions. Khusanov at the base of the back three carries the pass range to find him before Colombia’s shape resets.
| Player | Club | Position | Key Stat | Role |
| A. Khusanov | Manchester City | Centre-back | 17 PL apps; 91.7% tackle success | Defensive organiser, build-out trigger |
| E. Shomurodov | Istanbul Basaksehir | Centre- forward | 22 goals / 34 apps (2025–26) | Captain, primary goal threat |
| A. Fayzullaev | CSKA Moscow | Attacking mid | Top scorer in the AFC Round 2 qualifying | Pressing the trigger, creativity |
| O. Urunov | Persepolis | Central mid | — | Transition anchor |
Colombia’s CONMEBOL record, seven wins, seven draws, four defeats, 15 goals conceded, and wins over Argentina, Brazil, and Germany establish them as a side that controls matches. Uzbekistan, ranked 52nd, arrived as a debut nation built on defensive discipline and a 22-goal striker. Cannavaro’s compact block against Lorenzo’s possession game is a genuine tactical contest. A point at the Azteca doesn’t come without Shomurodov getting a real chance, and that chance doesn’t arrive without Khusanov reading the press, carrying out of the back line, and delivering at pace. The Uzbekistan FIFA World Cup 2026 Abdukodir Khusanov variable is the one in Group K that Colombia’s preparation will have underweighted.
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Who is Abdukodir Khusanov, and what club does he play for?
Khusanov is a 22-year-old Uzbek centre-back at Manchester City, who joined from RC Lens in January 2025 for approximately €40 million, becoming the first Uzbek player in the Premier League. He made 17 appearances in 2025–26.
What group is Uzbekistan in at the FIFA WC 2026?
Uzbekistan is in Group K alongside Portugal, Colombia, and DR Congo. They open against Colombia on June 17 at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Who is Uzbekistan’s top scorer at the 2026 World Cup?
Eldor Shomurodov is Uzbekistan’s captain and all-time leading scorer with 44 international goals in 90 caps. He scored 22 Süper Lig goals for Istanbul Basaksehir in 2025–26 and is the squad’s primary striking option.
Who is Uzbekistan’s coach at the FIFA WC 2026?
Fabio Cannavaro is Uzbekistan’s head coach, appointed in October 2025. The Italian is a 2006 World Cup winner and Ballon d’Or recipient.
Is this Uzbekistan’s first World Cup appearance?
Yes, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is Uzbekistan’s debut. They qualified by finishing second in AFC Third Round Group A behind Iran, recording six wins, three draws, and one defeat across ten matches.
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