Uzbekistan Ranked 25th Among World Cup 2026 Contenders by Goal.com

Football analysts at Goal.com have assessed the prospects of all teams heading to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Uzbekistan making the list as they prepare for their first-ever finals.

Placed 25th out of 27, Uzbekistan enter the tournament as outsiders, but their qualification journey and recent form have inspired confidence among players and fans alike.

A Historic First Qualification

Uzbekistan secured their place after years of near-misses and disappointments. Qualification was anything but smooth: coach Srecko Katanec stepped down in January due to illness, leaving former national midfielder Timur Kapadze to complete the campaign. He did so in dramatic fashion, guiding the team to a crucial 0-0 draw with the United Arab Emirates on 5 June, which sealed a top-two finish in AFC Group A.

That success was followed by further momentum when Uzbekistan beat Iran 1-0 in the CAFA Nations Cup final, their seventh clean sheet in ten matches, strengthening their reputation for defensive resilience.

Strength in Defence, Emerging Talent in Attack

Uzbekistan’s prospects of progressing beyond the group stage are slim, but their defensive record gives them hope. The back line is anchored by Manchester City centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov. In attack, Roma’s Eldor Shomurodov, now playing for Istanbul Basaksehir, brings experience, while 21-year-old winger Abbosbek Fayzullaev has emerged as a rising star after joining the same club.

Goal.com ranked Spain, Argentina and England as the leading contenders to lift the trophy. Among the host nations, the United States sit 23rd, Canada 20th and Mexico 18th.