Uzbekistan Appoints Fabio Cannavaro as Head Coach for 2026 World Cup

Cannavaro to lead Uzbekistan's World Cup Campaign

The legendary Italian footballer Fabio Cannavaro has been appointed as the new head coach of Uzbekistan's national team.

“A renowned specialist, three-time FIFA World Cup participant, 2006 World Cup champion, and one of the best...”

Fabio Cannavaro, the legendary Italian footballer, has been appointed as the new head coach of Uzbekistan's national team. He'll lead the team in their historic first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance in 2026. Cannavaro's playing career was marked by a World Cup win with Italy in 2006, where he captained the team to victory.

Cannavaro's coaching record is mixed, with recent stints at Dinamo Zagreb and China being relatively short-lived. Despite this, the Uzbekistan Football Association is confident in his abilities to lead their team to success. He'll be joined by a support team, including Eugenio Albarella, Francesco Troise, and Antonio Chimenti.

The statement described Cannavaro as “a renowned specialist, three-time FIFA World Cup participant, 2006 World Cup champion, and one of the best defenders of the modern era.” He will lead the team in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

This appointment marks a new chapter in Cannavaro's managerial career, following brief stints in charge of Benevento, Udinese, and Dinamo Zagreb. His experience managing top clubs like Guangzhou Evergrande and Al-Nassr will likely be valuable in his new role. Cannavaro's task will be to transform Uzbekistan's underdog spirit into a competitive edge on the global stage, as the team makes its debut in the World Cup.

Cannavaro's Coaching Journey:

Previous Roles:

• Benevento (Serie B)
• Udinese (Serie A)
• Dinamo Zagreb (Croatian club)
• Guangzhou Evergrande (Chinese Super League)
• Al-Nassr (Saudi Arabian club)

Notable Achievements:

• Winning the Chinese Super League with Guangzhou Evergrande
• Guiding Udinese to safety in Serie A

Current Role:

• Head Coach of Uzbekistan National Team, aiming to lead the team in the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Cannavaro's appointment signals Uzbekistan's intent to make a statement in the tournament, and the Italian coach's experience and pedigree are expected to play a key role in the team's success.

Fabio Cannavaro, the 52-year-old Italian football legend will lead the team in their historic first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance in 2026. Cannavaro's playing career was marked by a World Cup win with Italy in 2006, where he captained the team to victory.

Cannavaro's Coaching Background:

Experience in Asia and Europe: Cannavaro has previously managed clubs in China and Saudi Arabia, as well as in Italy. Notably, he led Guangzhou Evergrande to the Chinese Super League title in 2019.

Short Stint with China: In 2019, Cannavaro briefly took over as the caretaker manager of China's national team.

Recent Role at Dinamo Zagreb: His most recent coaching position was at Dinamo Zagreb, which ended in April 2025.

Uzbekistan's Historic Qualification:

First-ever World Cup Appearance: Uzbekistan qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup under the guidance of Timur Kapadze, who will now be succeeded by Cannavaro.

🇺🇿 Fabio Cannavaro — Head Coach of the Uzbekistan National Team!

The Uzbekistan Football Association has signed a contract with Fabio Cannavaro — a renowned specialist, three-time FIFA World Cup participant, 2006 World Cup champion, and one of the best defenders of the modern… pic.twitter.com/rF1TAdjba0

— O‘zbekiston FA (@UzbekistanFA) October 6, 2025

Qualifying Campaign: The team finished second in their Asian group, losing only one game in 10 matches and collecting 21 points.

Key Players: Abdukodir Khusanov (Manchester City defender) and Eldor Shomurodov (Roma forward) are expected to play crucial roles in the tournament.