TASHKENT: Uzbekistan coach Fabio Cannavaro named an experienced squad on Tuesday for the country’s first World Cup finals appearance, led by forward Eldor Shomurodov and defender Abdukodir Khusanov.

Captain Shomurodov will be the team’s main attacking playmaker alongside his Istanbul Basaksehir teammate Abbosbek Fayzullaev.

Manchester City’s Khusanov, 22, struggled with injury earlier in the season but played regularly in the run-in, helping them win the English FA Cup and League Cup.

Uzbekistan face Colombia in their opening Group ‘K’ fixture, before matches against Portugal and DR Congo.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Utkir Yusupov, Abduvohid Nematov, Botirali Ergashev; Defenders: Rustam Ashurmatov, Farrukh Sayfiev, Khojiakbar Alijonov, Sherzod Nasrullaev, Umar Eshmurodov, Abdukodir Khusanov, Abdulla Abdullaev, Bekhruz Karimov, Jakhongir Urozov, Avazbek Ulmasaliev; Midfielders: Otabek Shukurov, Jaloliddin Masharipov, Odiljon Hamrobekov, Oston Urunov, Jamshid Iskanderov, Dostonbek Khamdamov, Abbosbek Fayzullaev, Akmal Mozgovoy, Azizjon Ganiev, Sherzod Esanov; Forwards: Eldor Shomurodov, Igor Sergeev, Azizbek Amonov.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2026