Fabio Cannavaro previews Portugal World Cup match

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The head coach of the Uzbekistan national football team, Fabio Cannavaro, shared his impressions of his debut at the 2026 World Cup in his new role, summed up the opening match against Colombia, and assessed the strength of their upcoming opponent, Portugal.

The Italian noted that managing a national team at the World Cup brings completely different emotions compared to his playing career. According to him, a coach experiences events much more acutely, as being outside the pitch means it is impossible to control absolutely everything. Turning to the results of the first-round match against Colombia, Cannavaro stressed that any loss of concentration at such a high level results in immediate punishment.

Despite the eventual defeat, the specialist remained pleased with the second half, in which his players were not afraid to show their brand of football, scored a goal, and attempted to dominate on the pitch.

Ahead of the crucial second-round match against Portugal, the Uzbekistan manager is aiming to reduce psychological pressure on his players. He acknowledged that the opponent is packed with world-class stars, including Cristiano Ronaldo, whom Cannavaro called the greatest player of the last twenty years alongside Lionel Messi.

To counter the Portuguese side, who favor possession and short passing, Uzbekistan will require maximum discipline in their defensive lines. At the same time, the coach urged his players not to be intimidated by the opponent's status: "Yes, Ronaldo is a great football player and a big star, but after the starting whistle, you need to forget all of that. On the pitch, you are not friends."

Speaking about the global objective for the tournament, Fabio Cannavaro stated that he wants to leave a bright mark on history. He aims for Uzbekistan to be remembered as a debutant that demonstrates beautiful, organized football and holds absolutely no fear of recognized giants.

The high-profile Group K match between the national teams of Uzbekistan and Portugal will take place tomorrow, 23 June 2026, and will kick off at 22:00 Tashkent time.