Cape Verde’s 0-0 draw against Spain and Australia’s 2-0 win over Turkey are “textbook examples” of the defensive discipline Uzbekistan must show in the World Cup, says centre-back Rustam Ashurmatov before the team kicks off their World Cup event against Colombia in Mexico City on Thursday.
Having conceded just 11 goals in 16 games in qualifying, finishing behind Iran, the White Wolves have at least two inspiring defensive figures in their squad: manager Fabio Cannavaro and centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov. The latter became the first player from Uzbekistan to join a Premier League club when he moved from Lens to Manchester City for around £33.6 million in January 2025.
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“If we avoid individual mistakes, we are fully prepared for the match,” Ashurmatov told the Uzbek Football Federation.
“There can be various mistakes and so on, but in every situation we have to fight until the 90 minutes are over. We will get at least a half-chance or an opportunity.
The bad news for Uzbekistan is that Colombia were very dangerous in the qualifiers and secured victories against reigning world champions Argentina and record winners Brazil with five titles along the way.
Los Cafeteros did not qualify in 2022, but won six games and lost twice over the previous two World Cup tournaments, reaching the round of 16 in 2018 and the quarterfinals in 2014.
“We have seen that Uzbekistan is a team with quick transitions,” observed midfielder Juan Portilla. “Their full-backs attack a lot. It is a very, very strong point with them, and we have looked at how to counteract it.
“There’s always a little bit of anxiety, and that’s also important – to be aware of that anxiety before such an important opening match in a World Cup. We are calm because we know what a great group we have to face it.
This is the second match in Group K, starting when Portugal face DR Congo in Mexico City on Wednesday (18:00 BST).
World Cup 2026: Uzbekistan vs Colombia – Team Updates
Centre-back Husniddin Aliqulov slipped out of Uzbekistan’s squad after undergoing knee surgery in February. Right-back Khojiakbar Alijonov (calf) and Aziz Ganiev (stroke) are doubtful.
The highly experienced attacking midfielder Jaloliddin Masharipov has not played for over a year, and missed both of his country’s pre-season games with a back problem after returning from a serious knee injury.
There were concerns about James Rodríguez’s health when the Colombia captain was hospitalised with severe dehydration in April, but the former Real Madrid playmaker and Golden Boot winner at the 2014 World Cup returned with assists in each of his country’s friendlies against Costa Rica and Jordan this month.
Left-back Deiver Machado was given a brief substitute against Los Ticos, after missing two games for Nantes in May with a hamstring.
Uzbekistan vs Colombia: World Cup 2026 – Predicted line-ups
Uzbekistan’s starting eleven: Utkir Yusupov, Rustam Ashurmatov, Abdukodir Khusanov, Jakhongir Urozov, Farrukh Sayfiev, Akmal Mozgovoy, Otabek Shukurov, Sherzod Nasrullaev, Abbosbek Fayzullaev, Oston Urunov, Eldor Shomurodov
Colombia’s starting eleven: Camilo Vargas, Daniel Muñoz, Davinson Sánchez, Jhon Lucumí, Johan Mojica, James Rodríguez, Gustavo Puerta, Jhon Arias, Jefferson Lerma, Luis Díaz, Luis Suárez
Where to Watch Uzbekistan vs. Colombia – TV Channel and Live Stream
Kick-off on Thursday is at 03:00 BST (22:00 ET Wednesday / 19:00 PT Wednesday). In the UK, the match will be broadcast live on BBC One.
Streaming on a wide variety of devices is available via the BBC iPlayer app and the BBC Sport website.
World Cup 2026: Uzbekistan vs Colombia – statistics
- Uzbekistan is making its World Cup debut and is aiming to become the first team since Slovakia in 2010 to reach the playoffs on its debut
- They are one of only five teams to have reached the AFC Asian Cup playoffs in each of the last six championships, along with Iran, Iraq, Japan and South Korea
- Qatar was the only team to beat Uzbekistan in their 16 qualifying matches, with a winning goal in the 12th minute of added time at home
- Eldor Shomurodov was involved in more goals than any other Uzbek player in qualifying, with five goals and four assists
- Head coach Fabio Cannavaro played every minute as captain of winners Italy at the 2006 World Cup, and his participation in four editions equals the record for the Azzurri
- Cannavaro, who was hired in October 2025, is in his second national team coaching term after leading China in 2019
- This will be Colombia’s seventh World Cup appearance and their first since 2018, with their best performance coming in 2014 when they reached the quarter-finals before losing to host nation Brazil
- None of Colombia’s World Cup matches have ended 0-0; only Austria (29) have played more World Cup matches without a goalless draw
- Only Argentina (31) scored more goals than Colombia (28) in the CONMEBOL qualifiers. They scored more headers (7) than any other nation
- Lionel Messi (8) is the only player to have scored more goals than Colombia’s Luis Díaz (7) in South American qualifiers
- Rodríguez led the assists with seven, which was three more than any other player
- Colombia boss Néstor Lorenzo is in his first World Cup as a coach, but is one of three managers at the 2026 World Cup to have played in a final of the championship, after he took part for Argentina in the 1990 final against West Germany
- Lorenzo led Colombia to their first Copa America final in 23 years in 2024, where they lost after extra time to Argentina
World Cup 2026: Uzbekistan vs. Colombia – Betting
Betting: Uzbekistan 0-2 Colombia
Colombia have scored in each of their last nine World Cup matches and will be able to break down Uzbekistan if they continue their qualifying form. The underdogs’ pre-season results this month suggest they can assert themselves – they held on until the 58th minute in a 2-0 defeat to Canada and only lost to the Netherlands on a last-minute penalty.
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