On the eve of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, attention to the Uzbekistan national team is growing not only because of its historic entry into the World Cup, but also due to interesting details of the team’s composition. One of these is the presence of players with Tajik roots.
Tajik expert, manager and football agent Kova Tilavpur noted that several players in the Uzbekistan team are of Tajik origin.
According to him, such players include: Farrukh Saifiev – a native of Samarkand, Sherzod Nasrulloev – from Karshi, Bekhruz Karimov – from Namangan.
All three are included in the Uzbekistan national team and can take part in the 2026 World Cup.
Kova Tilavpur not only identified these names, but also expressed support for the Uzbekistan team at the upcoming world championship.
“Tajiks who will play in the Uzbekistan national team at the 2026 World Cup… I wish success to the Uzbekistan team at the World Cup!” – he said.
Uzbekistan’s entry into the World Cup is an important event for the entire Central Asian region. This is not only a step forward for Uzbek football, but also a signal to neighboring countries, including Tajikistan, that systemic development and investment in football is yielding results.
By the way, Fabio Cannavaro has decided on the final application of the Uzbek team for the World Championship. The country will be represented by 26 football players at the debut World Cup. Previously, 30 players were at training camps in America, but the coaching staff decided to shorten the list.
Four remained outside the final application – Sherzod Temirov, Zhasur Zhaloliddinov, Ruslanbek Zhiyanov and Umarali Rakhmonaliev. According to FIFA rules, teams must select 26 players and for this reason, the coach had to exclude some players from the squad.
The goalkeeper line is fully staffed. Utkir Yusupov, Abduvokhid Nematov and Botirali Ergashev will take the places in goal.
In the defensive line, the coach relied on a balance of experience and youth. Representatives of Uzbekistan will be Abdukodir Khusanov, Khozhiakbar Alijonov, Farrukh Saifiev, Rustam Ashurmatov, Umar Eshmurodov, Sherzod Nasrullaev, Abdulla Abdullaev, Avazbek Ulmasaliev, Jakhongir Urozov and Bekhruz Karimov.
Ten performers have been selected for the midfield. They were Akmal Mozgovoy, Otabek Shukurov, Zhamshid Iskanderov, Odil Khamrobekov, Jaloliddin Masharipov, Oston Urunov, Dostonbek Khamdamov, Aziz Ganiev, Abbosbek Faizullaev and Sherzod Esonov.
The attack line will be led by experienced captain Eldor Shomurodov. Igor Sergeev and Azizbek Amonov will help him in the attack.
In preparation for the final stage of the tournament, the Uzbek team has already played a friendly match against Canada. The game took place at the Canadian Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton and ended in a 2:0 victory for the hosts.
