Uzbekistan — 2026 World Cup Squad

A first appearance at a World Cup is the headline here, and Uzbekistan land in Group K alongside Colombia among others with little to lose and a generation finally ready to be seen. Qualification was built on organisation rather than flair, and that pragmatism will define how they approach a group where they start as clear outsiders.

Everything begins with Abdukodir Khusanov, the centre-half whose move to Manchester City gave the squad genuine top-level pedigree; quick across the turf and aggressive in the duel, he anchors a back line that also leans on Doston Tursunov at Atalanta. Up top, Eldor Shomurodov offers a proper focal point with his Roma grounding, while Abbosbek Fayzullaev carries the creative burden from the left, drifting inside to link play and find Shomurodov or the running of Jasurbek Yakhshiboev.

Expect a compact, counter-leaning side that defends in numbers and trusts Khusanov to win the first ball. The story writes itself: a nation reaching the finals for the first time, with a City defender at its heart, hoping a low block and Shomurodov's penalty-box instincts can steal a result the country has waited generations to celebrate.