Overview
- Fabio Cannavaro is confirmed as Uzbekistan’s head coach for the 2026 World Cup and is now publicly outlining his plans for the team’s first finals.
- He tells players to stay calm, enjoy the stage, and lean on a “fighters at heart” identity, while warning that domestic league intensity must rise to prevent late-game drop-offs.
- Uzbekistan will face Portugal and Colombia in the group stage, plus a third opponent that will come from a play-off path including Congo, Jamaica, or New Caledonia.
- The federation has poured money into youth academies and a new sports center, drawing praise from FIFA’s Arsene Wenger for facilities he called among the best he has seen.
- Reports differ on when he was hired, with Football Italia citing October 2025 and the Mirror saying August, and he also warns that Italy could “throw away” its football culture as it fights through World Cup play-offs.