Fabio Cannavaro Takes Charge of Uzbekistan: The Road to World Cup 2026
Sport
World Cup champion and football legend Fabio Cannavaro has been appointed head coach of the Uzbekistan national football team. He will lead the squad as it prepares for its historic debut at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Uzbekistan Football Association has officially signed a contract with Italian coach Fabio Cannavaro — the 2006 World Cup champion and Ballon d’Or winner. He replaces Timur Kapadze, under whose guidance Uzbekistan qualified for the World Cup for the first time in its history.
Cannavaro arrived in Tashkent with his coaching staff, which includes:
Aujennio Albarella, assistant coach, formerly with Japan’s national team and clubs such as Juventus, Udinese, and Dinamo Zagreb;
Francesco Troise, fitness coach, who previously worked with Benevento, Udinese, and Dinamo Zagreb;
Antonio Chimenti, goalkeeping coach, who has experience with Italy’s youth national team and clubs like Sampdoria and Spal.
Cannavaro’s most recent role was at Dinamo Zagreb, where he managed 14 matches, earning seven victories.
At 52, Cannavaro is one of the most decorated defenders of his generation. As a player, he represented Napoli, Parma, Inter, Juventus, Real Madrid, and Al-Ahli (UAE). As a coach, he has led the China national team and clubs including Guangzhou, Tianjin Quanjian, Al-Nassr, Benevento, and Udinese.
His appointment marks a new era for Uzbek football — a confident step toward competing among the world’s elite teams.
Cannavaro arrived in Tashkent with his coaching staff, which includes:
Aujennio Albarella, assistant coach, formerly with Japan’s national team and clubs such as Juventus, Udinese, and Dinamo Zagreb;
Francesco Troise, fitness coach, who previously worked with Benevento, Udinese, and Dinamo Zagreb;
Antonio Chimenti, goalkeeping coach, who has experience with Italy’s youth national team and clubs like Sampdoria and Spal.
Cannavaro’s most recent role was at Dinamo Zagreb, where he managed 14 matches, earning seven victories.
At 52, Cannavaro is one of the most decorated defenders of his generation. As a player, he represented Napoli, Parma, Inter, Juventus, Real Madrid, and Al-Ahli (UAE). As a coach, he has led the China national team and clubs including Guangzhou, Tianjin Quanjian, Al-Nassr, Benevento, and Udinese.
His appointment marks a new era for Uzbek football — a confident step toward competing among the world’s elite teams.
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