🇺🇿 Uzbekistan
First World Cup ever for the White Wolves of Tashkent.
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White Wolves Take Their First Bow
Uzbekistan have qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026, representing the AFC confederation. Their presence at the tournament is a proud moment for their football nation and for the fans who have followed this journey through every qualifying match.
Uzbekistan's historic first World Cup drops them into a brutal Group K: Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal, James Rodríguez's Colombia, and CAF returnee DR Congo. The White Wolves (Oqbo'rilar in Uzbek) have grown from regular AFC quarter-finalists into the team that finally cracked the qualifying playoff barrier.
Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov is the breakout star. The £33-million Premier League signing in January 2025 lifted the entire Uzbek football economy. Captain Eldor Shomurodov leads the line from Roma, and Pakhtakor playmaker Abbosbek Fayzullaev pulls strings from the No. 10. Coach Timur Kapadze, a former Uzbek international himself, has built a side that knows it has nothing to lose.
Group K Draw
All 4 teams in Uzbekistan's group. Top 2 advance automatically, plus the 8 best third-placed teams across all 12 groups.
How the 2026 Group Stage Works
Uzbekistan's 2026 Squad
Projected, official call-up to be confirmed
Likely first eleven
in a 4-2-3-1.
Editorial first XI based on qualifying form, club minutes, and Timur Kapadze's recent selection. The official sheet is named one hour before kickoff.
- 1Utkir Yusupov
- 5Abdukodir Khusanov
- 4Khojiakbar Alijonov
- 2Sherzod Nasrullaev
- 3Abbosbek Fayzullaev
- 8Otabek Shukurov
- 18Jasurbek Yakhshiboev
- 17Abbos Kholmurodov
- 7Jaloliddin Masharipov
- 9Eldor ShomurodovCAPTAIN
All 23 players
Goalkeepers
3 playersDefenders
7 playersMidfielders
6 playersForwards
7 playersEditorial selection based on current first-team form. The final 26-player squad is at the head coach's discretion and is announced approximately one month before the tournament.
Uzbekistan in AFC
Asia (AFC)
AFC sends 8 Asian teams, reflecting the continent's growing football quality. Japan and South Korea regularly reach the knockout stage.
Uzbekistan competed against other AFC nations through a multi-year qualifying campaign to secure their spot at the 2026 World Cup. The expanded format of 48 teams gave more nations a path to the tournament than ever before.
Other AFC teams at 2026
No Ticket? Watch Uzbekistan At a Fan Zone
Every Uzbekistan group match is screened live on the giant screen at the FIFA Fan Fest in the host city. Free entry, no queue, just show up. Every other host city also screens every match, so wherever you are, you can join the crowd.
Frequently Asked Questions
Group K Opponents
The teams Uzbekistan face in the group stage
