Fabio Cannavaro, the Italian football legend and 2006 World Cup winner, has been officially named the new head coach of Uzbekistan’s national football team, the country’s football association confirmed on Monday.
The Uzbekistan Football Association announced the appointment through an enthusiastic social media post, stating, “Fabio Cannavaro is the new head coach of the Uzbekistan national team.” The former Juventus, Real Madrid and Parma defender takes on the role at a historic moment, with Uzbekistan set to make its first-ever appearance at a FIFA World Cup in 2026, to be hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The federation also confirmed that Cannavaro will hold a press conference alongside officials to outline his objectives and long-term vision for the team as they prepare for the global stage.
Now 51, Cannavaro will look to build on the nation’s impressive qualifying campaign that secured their place at the World Cup. The Neapolitan coach brings valuable experience in Asian football, having previously managed Guangzhou Evergrande and Tianjin Quanjian in China, as well as having a brief spell with the Saudi Arabia national team.
Though still relatively early in his coaching career, Cannavaro has developed a reputation for discipline and motivational leadership, qualities that the Uzbek football authorities view as crucial for the team’s upcoming challenge.
Uzbekistan will enter the 2026 World Cup with optimism and ambition, aiming to make a strong impression in their debut appearance. Cannavaro, renowned for his defensive prowess and leadership as a player, now faces the task of inspiring a new generation of Uzbek players to compete on football’s biggest stage.
The 2006 Ballon d’Or winner steps into one of the most ambitious roles of his managerial career, with hopes of guiding Uzbekistan through a historic tournament that could mark a turning point in the nation’s footballing future.
