Uzbekistan — FIFA World Cup 2026

Group KSrecko Katanec4-2-3-1
CalibrSports Strength Rating36 / 100

Will Uzbekistan Qualify from Group K?

Advance from Group22%
Reach Quarter-Final7%
Reach Semi-Final2%
Reach the Final1%
Win the World Cup0%

Powered by CalibrSports ML · Pre-tournament analysis

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Key Players for Uzbekistan at World Cup 2026

Eldor Shomurodov
ST

Roma

Serie A-tested striker and Uzbekistan's most dangerous goalscorer with movement and physicality

Jasur Yakhshiboev
RW

FK Pakhtakor

Creative wide forward and the most technically gifted player in Uzbekistan's domestic scene

Otabek Shukurov
CDM

FK Navbahor

Defensive anchor and captain who shields the backline and organises the team shape

Uzbekistan World Cup 2026 Squad

26-player squad · provisional, via SportMonks · finalized closer to kickoff

Goalkeepers(3)

Botirali Ergashev1Botirali Ergashev
Abduvokhid Nematov12Abduvokhid Nematov
Utkir Yusupov16Utkir Yusupov

Defenders(10)

Abdukodir Khusanov2Abdukodir Khusanov
Khozhiakbar Alizhonov3Khozhiakbar Alizhonov
Farrukh Sayfiev4Farrukh Sayfiev
Rustam Ashurmatov5Rustam Ashurmatov
Sherzod Nasrullaev13Sherzod Nasrullaev
Umar Eshmurodov15Umar Eshmurodov
Bekhruz Karimov20Bekhruz Karimov
Mukhammadrasul Abdumazhidov23Mukhammadrasul Abdumazhidov
Jakhongir Urozov24Jakhongir Urozov
Mukhammadkodir Khamraliev25Mukhammadkodir Khamraliev

Midfielders(6)

Akmal Mozgovoy6Akmal Mozgovoy
Otabek Shukurov7Otabek Shukurov
Jamshid Iskanderov8Jamshid Iskanderov
Odildzhon Khamrobekov9Odildzhon Khamrobekov
Aziz Ganiev10Aziz Ganiev
Umarali Rakhmonaliev22Umarali Rakhmonaliev

Attackers(7)

Oston Urunov11Oston Urunov
Eldor Shomurodov14Eldor ShomurodovC
Dostonbek Khamdamov17Dostonbek Khamdamov
Alisher Odilov18Alisher Odilov
Abbosbek Fayzullaev19Abbosbek Fayzullaev
Igor Sergeev21Igor Sergeev
Sherzod Temirov26Sherzod Temirov

Uzbekistan Manager & Playing Style

Manager

Srecko Katanec

Formation

4-2-3-1

Technically disciplined and compact with Eldor Shomurodov's movement and finishing providing the primary attacking threat from a structured mid-block that aims to frustrate and counter.

Uzbekistan World Cup History

2022Did not qualify
2018Did not qualify
2014Did not qualify

Uzbekistan's Group K Opponents

1Portugal85 pts
2Colombia72 pts
3DR Congo44 pts
4Uzbekistan (this team)36 pts

WC 2026 Betting Angles for Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan to score — YES vs DR Congo

In their most winnable fixture, Uzbekistan will attack from the start; Shomurodov's Serie A experience against a DR Congo defence makes them to score a solid play.

Uzbekistan group exit — YES

Portugal and Colombia are significantly better; despite Uzbekistan's historic first qualification, advancing is a massive ask and group exit is heavily favoured.

Both teams to score — Uzbekistan vs DR Congo

Two similarly ranked debutant-level sides meeting in what is effectively a must-win game for both; an open, BTTS match is the most likely scenario.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Uzbekistan qualify from the group stage?

CalibrSports ML gives Uzbekistan a 22% probability of advancing from Group K, based on squad strength and opponent ratings.

What are Uzbekistan's chances of winning WC 2026?

Our model gives Uzbekistan a 0% chance of winning the World Cup 2026.

Who is Uzbekistan's best player at WC 2026?

Eldor Shomurodov (ST at Roma) — Serie A-tested striker and Uzbekistan's most dangerous goalscorer with movement and physicality

CalibrSports Verdict on Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan make their first-ever World Cup appearance after years of near-misses in Asian qualifying. Katanec has built a disciplined and structured side and Shomurodov provides genuine Serie A quality up front. Group K with Portugal and Colombia is tough but the experience alone is invaluable. CalibrSports gives Uzbekistan a 22% chance of advancing from the group.

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