Uzbekistan lineup vs Colombia: Predicted XI for World Cup 2026 Group K clash as Cannavaro places trust in Man City star

Having finally got over the line in AFC qualifying, debutants Uzbekistan will start their World Cup 2026 campaign in Mexico City, meeting Group K rivals Colombia on Wednesday.

The Central Asian nation are managed by former world champion Fabio Cannavaro, who is expected to field a cautious 3-4-2-1 formation that can also be interpreted as 5-4-1.

An integral part of Cannavaro's defence, 21-year-old rising star Abdukodir Khusanov has impressed for Manchester City in recent months, while Sherzod Nasrullaev is a key figure on the left flank.

Eldor Shomurodov - his country's captain and all-time top scorer with 44 goals, five of which came in qualifying - will lead the White Wolves' attack.

Shomurodov's teammate at Turkish club Istanbul Basaksehir, Abbosbek Fayzullaev is a speedy winger who scored four goals during the qualifiers; the pair are set to link up again in midweek.

However, 74-cap forward Jaloliddin Masharipov may miss out on his long-awaited World Cup debut due to a back injury that caused him to sit out both pre-tournament friendlies.

As Khojiakbar Alijonov is also struggling with a calf problem, veteran full-back Farrukh Safiyev is likely to start on the right wing.

Uzbekistan possible starting lineup: Yusupov; Khusanov, Abdullaev, Ashurmatov; Sayfiev, Shukurov, Mozgovoy, Nazrullaev; Fayzullaev, Urunov; Shomurodov

> Click here to see how Colombia could line up against Uzbekistan