Cannavaro Names Uzbekistan Line-Up for World Cup Match Against Portugal
The anticipation has reached fever pitch as Uzbekistan prepares for its highly anticipated second-round Group K fixture at the 2026 World Cup. Facing off against European heavyweights Portugal later today, 23 June, the White Wolves have officially unveiled the starting eleven tasked with delivering a shock result on the global stage.
Under the tactical guidance of Italian football legend Fabio Cannavaro, Uzbekistan faces a stern test. The 2006 World Cup-winning captain has opted for a pragmatic blend of seasoned leadership and dynamic youth to counter the traditional dominance of the Portuguese side.
The full starting lineup tasked with taking the pitch from the first whistle features:
- Abduvohid Nematov
- Abdukodir Khusanov
- Rustam Ashurmatov
- Otabek Shukurov
- Odil Khamrobekov
- Sherzod Nasrullaev
- Eldor Shomurodov (captain)
- Abdulla Abdullaev
- Aziz Ganiev
- Abbosbek Fayzullaev
- Bekhruz Karimov
Leading the line and donning the captain’s armband is veteran striker Eldor Shomurodov. His wealth of experience in top-flight European football will be vital in navigating what promises to be a demanding match, while the highly rated creative spark Abbosbek Fayzullaev is expected to provide the attacking flair.
This clash is a pivotal moment for the Central Asian nation. Group K is already proving to be a fiercely contested pool, with South American powerhouse Colombia and African challengers DR Congo completing the quartet.
Securing points against a top-tier side like Portugal would be a monumental achievement for Uzbekistan’s footballing history and would drastically alter the dynamic of the group as they push for a place in the knockout phases of this historic 48-team tournament.
