Italy’s football legend and 2006 World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro has been appointed as the head coach of the Uzbekistan national football team, which is preparing for its first FIFA World Cup in 2026. The Uzbekistan Football Association announced this important news on October 6, 2025.
Cannavaro is recognized as one of the best defenders of his generation and has extensive coaching experience in China, Saudi Arabia, and Italy. He served briefly as a caretaker manager in China in 2019. He replaces Timur Kapadze, who guided Uzbekistan to its historic World Cup qualification.
Uzbekistan secured its first World Cup qualification by finishing second in Group A of the Asian qualifying round with 21 points.