Uzbekistan are at the FIFA World Cup for the first time in their history.
The White Wolves have tried and failed to qualify seven times since independence following the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991, suffering heartbreak in the final qualifying stage for Germany 2006 and Brazil 2014.
That wait is finally over.
They sealed their place with a 0-0 draw in the UAE in June 2025, finishing second in their Asian qualifying group behind Iran with 21 points from 10 matches, losing just once across the entire campaign.
Their coach Fabio Cannavaro is one of the most famous defenders in football history — a 2006 World Cup-winning captain with Italy and Ballon d’Or winner who was appointed in October 2025 after qualification had already been secured.
Uzbekistan are in Group K alongside Portugal, Colombia, and DR Congo.
They open against Colombia at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 18, then face Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in Houston, before closing against DR Congo in Atlanta.
Here are the 10 best soccer players from Uzbekistan at the 2026 World Cup.
1. Eldor Shomurodov — Forward (Captain)
Position: Striker
Age: 30 | Club: İstanbul Başakşehir (Turkey, on loan from Roma)
Eldor Shomurodov is Uzbekistan’s captain and their all-time top scorer with 44 international goals in 92 caps.
He has 11 more international goals than any other player in Uzbekistan’s history, which tells you everything about his importance to this squad.
He played for Roma in Serie A and has been on loan at İstanbul Başakşehir in Turkey, where he has contributed goals consistently.
He is the focal point of Cannavaro’s attack and the player Uzbekistan’s entire tournament plan is built around.
He is one of the best strikers to come out of Central Asian football.
2. Abdukodir Khusanov — Defender
Position: Centre-Back
Age: 22 | Club: Manchester City (England)
Abdukodir Khusanov is the most recognisable name in this Uzbekistan squad to the global football audience.
He became the first Uzbek player to appear in the Premier League when Manchester City signed him from Lens in January 2025 for around £40 million.
He averages 1.69 tackles and 3.39 interceptions per 90 minutes — numbers that reflect his aggressive, reading-the-game style of defending.
At just 22, he is already playing for one of the best clubs in the world and is the highest-profile player Uzbekistan have ever sent to a World Cup.
He is one of the best young centre-backs in world football.
3. Abbosbek Fayzullaev — Midfielder
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Age: 22 | Club: İstanbul Başakşehir (Turkey)
Abbosbek Fayzullaev is the most creative player in Uzbekistan’s squad and the main source of attacking inspiration behind Shomurodov.
The İstanbul Başakşehir midfielder plays alongside Shomurodov at club level, and their understanding and combination play gives Cannavaro a dangerous creative partnership at the top of the pitch.
With 32 caps and 8 international goals already at just 22, his technical quality, dribbling, and ability to unlock defences make him one of the most exciting players in Asian football.
He is one of the most exciting generational talents Uzbekistan have ever produced.
4. Jaloliddin Masharipov — Midfielder
Position: Midfielder/Winger
Age: 32 | Club: Esteghlal (Iran)
Jaloliddin Masharipov is one of the most experienced and trusted players in the Uzbekistan squad with 74 caps and 12 international goals.
He provided four assists in World Cup qualifying, the most of any Uzbekistan player, and was one of the key creative forces throughout the campaign.
A former Al-Nassr player who now plays in the Iranian top flight, he brings the experience and delivery that Cannavaro relies on in wide and central attacking positions.
He is one of the best playmakers Uzbekistan have had in their generation.
5. Oston Urunov — Midfielder
Position: Midfielder
Age: 25 | Club: Persepolis (Iran)
Oston Urunov is one of the most dynamic midfielders in this Uzbekistan squad with 42 caps and 10 international goals.
He plays for Persepolis in the Iranian top flight alongside Igor Sergeev and brings a box-to-box energy that is central to how Uzbekistan press and transition.
His 10 international goals from midfield is an outstanding return and reflects a player who contributes at both ends of the pitch.
He is one of the best central midfielders Central Asia has produced.
6. Igor Sergeev — Forward
Position: Striker/Forward
Age: 33 | Club: Persepolis (Iran)
Igor Sergeev is Uzbekistan’s second-highest scorer with 25 international goals in 83 caps and the experienced option Cannavaro can turn to alongside or in place of Shomurodov.
He has been one of the most consistent scorers in Asian football for nearly a decade, plying his trade at Persepolis in the Iranian Pro League where he has been prolific.
At 33, he brings the big-game experience and clinical finishing that a first-ever World Cup squad needs from its veteran striker.
He is one of the most prolific scorers Uzbekistan have produced.
7. Otabek Shukurov — Midfielder
Position: Midfielder
Age: 29 | Club: Baniyas (UAE)
Otabek Shukurov is one of the most experienced players in this squad with 84 caps and 9 international goals, making him one of the most-capped outfield players in Uzbekistan’s history.
He is the reliable, disciplined presence in Cannavaro’s midfield who screens the defence and keeps the team organised when they are without the ball.
His experience across nearly a decade of international football is exactly what a debutant World Cup squad needs in the engine room.
He is one of the most reliable defensive midfielders in the Uzbekistan setup.
8. Rustam Ashurmatov — Defender
Position: Defender
Age: 29 | Club: Esteghlal (Iran)
Rustam Ashurmatov is one of Uzbekistan’s most experienced outfield defenders with 49 caps and brings the defensive solidity that Cannavaro demands from his back line.
He plays in the Iranian Pro League with Esteghlal alongside Masharipov and brings international experience and physical defending to a back four that will be tested severely by Ronaldo, James Rodríguez, and some of the best forwards in Group K.
He is one of the most dependable defenders Uzbekistan have.
9. Odiljon Hamrobekov — Midfielder
Position: Midfielder
Age: 30 | Club: Tractor (Iran)
Odiljon Hamrobekov is one of the most experienced midfielders in this squad with 72 caps and provides the defensive cover and positional discipline that allows the more creative players around him to express themselves.
He has been a reliable servant of Uzbekistan football for years and his ability to win the ball and distribute simply makes him a key component of Cannavaro’s compact midfield structure.
He is one of the most trusted players in the squad.
10. Jakhongir Urozov — Defender
Position: Defender
Age: 22 | Club: Dinamo Samarqand (Uzbekistan)
Jakhongir Urozov is the most exciting young defender in the Uzbekistan squad and one of the brightest prospects in domestic football.
The Dinamo Samarqand defender has 4 caps and is one of the youngest players in the group, representing the future of Uzbekistan football.
At 22 and heading to his first World Cup, this tournament is an enormous opportunity for a young player to accelerate his development on the biggest stage the sport has to offer.
He is one of the most promising young defenders at this tournament from the Asian confederation.
Conclusion
Uzbekistan arrive at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as proud first-timers.
They tried seven times to get here since independence and finally did it — qualifying through consistency, hard work, and the goals of Shomurodov.
Group K is brutal with Portugal and Colombia.
But Khusanov, Shomurodov, and Fayzullaev give Uzbekistan genuine quality that will make their group games more interesting than many expect.
Other players worth watching include Jaloliddin Masharipov, Dostonbek Khamdamov, and Khojiakbar Alijonov.
Who do you think will be Uzbekistan’s standout player at the 2026 World Cup? Let us know in the comments!
