Cape Verde's 0-0 draw against Spain and Australia's 2-0 win over Turkiye are “textbook examples†of the defensive rigour Uzbekistan need to show at the World Cup, centre-back Rustam Ashurmatov says before his side start their campaign against Colombia in Mexico City on Thursday.
Having conceded only 11 goals in 16 matches to qualify automatically behind Iran, the White Wolves have at least two inspirational defensive figures among their ranks in manager Fabio Cannavaro and centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov, who became the first player from Uzbekistan to join a Premier League club when he signed for Manchester City from Lens for around £33.6 million in January 2025.
“If we don't make individual mistakes, we are fully ready for the game,†Ashurmatov told the Uzbekistan Football Association.
“There can be different mistakes and so on but, in any situation, we must fight until the end of those 90 minutes. We will get at least one half-chance or opportunity.â€
The bad news for Uzbekistan is that Colombia were prolific in qualifying and secured wins against World Cup holders Argentina and record five-time winners Brazil along the way.
Los Cafeteros did not qualify in 2022 but won six games and lost twice across the two preceding World Cup tournaments, reaching the last 16 in 2018 and quarter-finals in 2014.
“We have seen that Uzbekistan are a team that has fast transitions,†observed midfielder Juan Portilla. “Their full-backs go on the attack a lot. That is a very, very strong point of theirs, and one that we have been seeing how to counteract.
“There's always a little bit of anxiety, and that's also important – to be alert to that anxiety before such an important opening game at a World Cup. We're calm because we know what a great group we have to face it.â€
This is the second match in Group K, which starts when Portugal face DR Congo in Mexico City on Wednesday (18:00 BST).
World Cup 2026: Uzbekistan v Colombia team news
Centre-back Husniddin Aliqulov missed out on Uzbekistan's squad after having knee surgery in February. Right-back Khojiakbar Alijonov (calf) and Aziz Ganiev (knock) are doubts.
Hugely experienced attacking midfielder Jaloliddin Masharipov has not featured for more than a year, missing both of his country's warm-up friendlies with a back issue following his return from a serious knee injury.
There were fears over James Rodriguez's health when the Colombia captain was hospitalised with severe dehydration in April but the former Real Madrid playmaker and 2014 World Cup golden boot winner returned with assists in each of their friendlies against Costa Rica and Jordan this month.
Left-back Deiver Machado made a brief appearance against Los Ticos, having missed two matches for Nantes in May with a dead leg.
