Uzbekistan vs Colombia Preview: Team News & Prediction | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage
Uzbekistan are one of four debutants at FIFA World Cup 2026 as the Central Asians kick off their Group K campaign against Colombia at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – BBC / USA – FOX Sports
How to watch online: UK – BBC iPlayer & the BBC Sport website & app / USA – FOX One
Uzbekistan preview: FWC debutants
Uzbekistan qualified for the tournament under the management of Srecko Katanec and then Timur Kapadze but they have since appointed FIFA World Cup 2006 winner and Ballon d'Or winner from the same year, Fabio Cannavaro.
The Uzbeks will believe they can be steady and awkward to play against here, especially with Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov at the back. They kept a couple of clean sheets against Egypt and IR Iran to kick off their year in the March international break.
Uzbekistan come into the tournament on the back of a 2-0 defeat to Canada before then providing stiff opposition for the Netherlands as they succumbed to a 2-1 loss to the Dutch.
Colombia preview: A recent dip
Colombia had been one of the strongest sides in international football between FIFA World Cup 2022 and the final of 2024 CONMEBOL Copa America with a long unbeaten run of form but the South Americans have dipped a bit since then, although they should still be strong side in North America.
The Colombians began their calendar year worryingly poorly. Having been beaten 2-1 by Croatia, they were then comfortably defeated by three goals to one by a star-studded French side a few days later during the March international break.
Colombia have enjoyed a couple of victories in their pre-tournament friendlies, defeating Costa Rica by three goals to one before a 2-0 victory against Jordan.
Uzbekistan team news: A defensive setup
It appears as though the absence of Jaloliddin Masharipov, who has withdrawn from the squad, is the only injury issue for Uzbekistan to deal with ahead of their clash with Colombia as Fabio Cannavaro likely selects a safety first side that is based on a back three system.
Versatile defender Abdukodir Khusanov will be expected to be the main man in the centre of their back three with the Manchester City providing quality at the back. He is a part of a strong spine that also consists of Otabek Shukurov, Abbosbek Fayzullaev and Eldor Shomurodov.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Yusupov; Ashurmatov, Khusanov, Urozov; Sayfiev, Mozgovoy, Shukurov, Nasrullaev; Fayzullaev, Urunov; Shomurodov
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Colombia team news: Jhon Cordoba a doubt
Having opted to leave former Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran out of the squad, Jhon Cordoba will believe he has an excellent chance of being the starting striker for the Colombians but he is a doubt due to injury.
The expectation is that Luis Suarez, off the back of an impressive campaign with Sporting CP, should instead lead the line with their impressive attack also consisting of attacking midfielder and captain James Rodriguez and Bayern Munich winger Luis Diaz.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Ospina; Munoz, Sanchez, Lucumi, Mojica; Rios, Castano; J. Arias, James, Diaz; Suarez
Unavailable:
Questionable: Cordoba (Injured)
Uzbekistan’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Abdukodir Khusanov ($4.3m) – Defender
Sherzod Nasrullaev ($3.7m) – Defender
Eldor Shomurodov ($6.5m) – Forward
Matchday 1 captain pick: Eldor Shomurodov
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Eldor Shomurodov
Free kicks: Jaloliddin Masharipov, Abbosbek Fayzullaev
Corners: Jaloliddin Masharipov, Abbosbek Fayzullaev
Colombia’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Daniel Munoz ($4.6m) – Defender
Luis Diaz ($8.1m) – Midfielder
Luis Suarez ($5.7m) – Forward
Matchday 1 captain pick: Luis Diaz
Set-piece duty
Penalties: James Rodriguez, Luis Diaz
Free kicks: James Rodriguez
Corners: James Rodriguez
Key stats
- Uzbekistan have made history by qualifying for the FIFA World Cup for the first time.
- Uzbekistan’s youth teams have also made their mark on the global stage, reaching the quarter-finals twice at the FIFA U-17 World Cup (2011 and 2023) and twice at the FIFA U-20 World Cup (2013 and 2015).
- Uzbekistan’s head coach is Italian great Fabio Cannavaro, a veteran of four FIFA World Cup tournaments as a player and the captain who famously led Italy to glory in 2006.
- Colombia are making their seventh FIFA World Cup appearance in 2026, returning to the global stage for the first time since 2018 after missing out on Qatar 2022.
- Colombia’s finest performance at the finals came at Brazil 2014, where they reached the quarter-finals for the first time in their history. The campaign was lit up by James Rodriguez, whose six goals earned him the FIFA World Cup Golden Boot, making him the first Colombian player to win the award.
- Colombia have lost their opening match in four of their six FIFA World Cup appearances (W2).
- Colombia’s head coach, Nestor Lorenzo, previously finished as a FIFA World Cup runner‑up in 1990 during his playing career with Argentina.
- David Ospina, Camilo Vargas, Santiago Arias and James Rodriguez are all appearing at their third FIFA World Cup, equalling the Colombian record jointly held by Faryd Mondragon, Freddy Rincon and Carlos Valderrama.
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Uzbekistan vs Colombia prediction
Since the appointment of Fabio Cannavaro, Uzbekistan have been stubborn in their performances over the last nine months or so. They have still struggled to enjoy parity with their opposition, though, and there will be a fear that as the competitiveness ramps up a bit with the importance of a major tournament, they could often be blown away. That said, their resilience and fight should mean they are capable of showing some fight and posing a threat to a Colombia back-line that can be quite leaky. The Colombians' leakiness does mark them out as one of the entertainers ahead of the tournament and the South Americans should still come out on top, even with their defensive fallibilities.
Uzbekistan vs Colombia betting tip: Colombia to win & both teams to score
