Our Fantasy FIFA World Cup 2026 team previews continue with a look at Uzbekistan.
One of four debutants, the White Wolves are 50th in FIFA’s rankings.
Unsurprisingly, the bookmakers think they’re outsiders in a tricky Group K, placed alongside Portugal, Colombia and DR Congo.
At least head coach Fabio Cannavaro brings some World Cup experience. He lifted the trophy in 2006 with Italy.
In these country-by-country guides, we’ll be looking at the best players from each nation, reviewing the road to the World Cup and more.
THE UZBEKISTAN SQUAD
Without doubt, the two high-profile names are Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov ($4.3m) and leading centre-forward Eldor Shomurodov ($6.5m).
A three-at-the-back formation is usually deployed, though wing-back Khojiakbar Alijonov ($3.6m) may not recover from a recent injury in time.
Fun fact: Uzbekistan is the first double-landlocked country to qualify for a World Cup.
- READ MORE: All 48 final squads for the World Cup
THE ROAD TO QUALIFICATION
In Asia, Uzbekistan had an unwelcome reputation for getting close, before ‘choking’. But they’re not nearly men anymore.
A comfortable qualification was sealed last June, finishing second to Iran in both group stages. Their only loss in 16 occurred against ‘homers’ Qatar, a side that they later beat 3-0 in the reverse fixture.
Originally under the guidance of Srecko Katanec – someone forced to quit in January 2025 due to health issues – a total of 10 clean sheets were achieved.
However, attacking stats are a mixed bag. No AFC participant racked up more overall attempts (266), narrowly pipped by Japan for big shots (49). Yet Uzbekistan were down in ninth for goals scored (27).
The White Wolves impressively kept clean sheets in seven of their 10 third-round games.
They were top-six material for both xG and xG conceded:
Delighted to qualify, the federation then opted to replace Timur Kapadze in the dugout.
BIGGEST GOAL THREATS IN QUALIFICATION
*note: the xG in the above table is non-penalty
Five-goal Shomurodov finished third on the continent for shots (45) and fifth for non-penalty expected goals (NPxG, 5.73). Such is the 30-year-old’s status, he’ll likely take penalties, despite missing one versus Kyrgyzstan. Otabek Shukurov ($5.0m) scored his, past the United Arab Emirates.
Also worth a mention is the exciting four-goal Abbosbek Fayzullaev ($6.2m), while Oston Urunov ($5.6m) posted some great numbers from a mere 582 minutes.
MOST CREATIVE PLAYERS
Shomurodov is also top for assists, joint with Jaloliddin Masharipov ($6.1m).
Both ended amongst the continent’s top four for key passes and best five for expected assists (xA).
SINCE QUALIFICATION
| Date | Opposition | Result | Goalscorers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 October 2025 | v Kuwait (h) | 2-0 | Shomurodov, Erkinov |
| 13 October 2025 | v Uruguay (n) | 1-2 | Jiyanov |
| 14 November 2025 | v Egypt (n) | 2-0 | Uronov (x2) |
| 18 November 2025 | v Iran (n) | 0-0 | |
| 27 March 2026 | v Gabon (h) | 3-1 | Shomurodov, Urozov, Odilov |
| 30 March 2026 | v Venezuela (h) | 0-0 | |
| 1 June 2026 | v Canada (a) | 0-2 | |
| 8 June 2026 | v Netherlands (n) | 1-2 | Sergeev |
Meanwhile, last summer, Uzbekistan beat Iran in extra time to win the eight-team CAFA Nations Cup.
In fact, the White Wolves have run into these Asian heavyweights seven times over the last three years, drawing all but one of them inside 90 minutes.
Back-to-back June defeats against Canada and the Netherlands are a confidence-denting way to enter the World Cup, especially as they conceded eight big chances to the Dutch.
But it’s hard to accurately say what the team will be like under Cannavaro, as his October appointment means there’s not yet been a competitive match. Then again, he often speaks about a defence-first approach and having a team that fights, gladly being an irritant to opponents. So don’t expect pretty performances!
WORLD CUP FIXTURES
There’s zero appeal in Rounds 1 and 2, with the two group favourites up first.
Any hope of qualification likely rests on the Round 3 meeting with DR Congo, but their African opponents are slight favourites for that one.
TOP FANTASY PICKS
Every Uzbekistan asset is currently eligible for Scouting Bonus rewards, as none have over 5.0% (or even 1.0%) ownership.
Captain and all-time top scorer Eldor Shomurodov ($6.5m) is an aerial threat. He moved to Serie A in 2020 with Genoa, joining Jose Mourinho’s Roma a year later for €17.5 million.
Unfortunately, the subsequent four campaigns (including loans at Spezia and Cagliari) brought just 11 top-flight goals from 98 appearances, so he moved to Istanbul Basaksehir on loan for 2025/26. A superb season of 22 goals has made the deal permanent.
He’s clearly his country’s talisman, based on goal and assist stats, though the only fixture with marginal Fantasy appeal comes in Round 3 against DR Congo.
And he’s not the only Uzbek to play for that Turkish outfit. Winger Abbosbek Fayzullaev ($6.2m) netted four times during qualifiers, and his playing style has been compared to the world-class Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
He’s in the direct free-kick mix, and a regular taker of corners.
