Fabio Cannavaro to be Uzbekistan’s coach for the 2026 World Cup

Fabio Cannavaro, the Italian football legend who captained his team to victory in the 2006 World Cup, has been named the new head coach of the Uzbekistan national football team. The team is getting ready for its first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance in 2026. The Uzbekistan Football Association made this significant announcement on October 6, 2025.

The appointment considers Cannavaro’s legacy as one of the best defenders of his generation and his vast international coaching experience in China, Saudi Arabia, and Italy. He also served a short stint as the caretaker manager for the Chinese national team in 2019. Cannavaro takes over from Timur Kapadze, who successfully led Uzbekistan to its historic World Cup qualification.

Uzbekistan qualified for the World Cup for the first time by finishing second in Group A of the Asian qualifying round, securing 21 points.