Fabio Cannavaro, the Italian World Cup winner who captained his country to glory in 2006, is preparing for a new challenge as he leads Uzbekistan to their first ever World Cup this summer. The former Real Madrid and Juventus defender took over as head coach in August 2024 after a visit to the country for a legends match, and has since guided the 'White Wolves' to the tournament in a remarkable journey.
Cannavaro described the Uzbek people as 'fighters at heart', drawing parallels with the nation's success in combat sports. 'Uzbekistan is often ranked first in the world in boxing,' he said. 'This means that the Uzbek people are fighters at heart—they never give up. In terms of character, they are, in fact we are, second to none.' He urged his players to approach the World Cup with calm and enjoyment, saying: 'For the first time you will play in a World Cup, you have nothing to lose.'
The team's squad includes Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov, one of their best-known players. Uzbekistan's football development has drawn praise from FIFA's Chief of Global Development, Arsene Wenger, who described their facilities as among the best he has seen. The country has invested heavily in academies with ties to major European clubs, a project that impressed Cannavaro. 'I was immediately impressed by the Academies: the meticulous work with young players was at the heart of their project, and now also of mine,' he said.
Cannavaro acknowledged challenges, particularly the intensity of the domestic league. 'The intensity of the league is not very high,' he noted. 'This was one of the very first topics my staff and I discussed when we arrived. The intensity of play needs to increase—it’s essential in order to perform well beyond national borders.' He added that after 60 or 70 minutes in international matches, the team experiences a drop in performance and becomes vulnerable.
Uzbekistan, with a population of 38 million, is the most populous nation in Central Asia. Cannavaro's coaching career has taken him to China, Udinese, and Dynamo Zagreb, experiences he says have prepared him for this role. 'All of this has prepared me to be ready for the Uzbekistan bench, a stimulating experience at the highest level,' he said. The team will face Colombia, Portugal, and DR Congo in the group stage.
