Uzbekistan has hired former Italy defender Fabio Cannavaro as national team coach ahead of its first World Cup appearance next year.

Cannavaro, who captained his country to the 2006 World Cup title, is taking over the role with immediate effect, the Uzbekistan football association said Monday on X.

The Central Asian nation qualified in June for the 2026 World Cup under local coach Timur Kapadze but has since sought a manager with greater international experience.

Before Cannavaro’s hiring, Uzbekistan had been linked with Joachim Löw, who guided Germany to the 2014 title, and former Portugal and South Korea coach Paulo Bento.

Uzbekistan will make its World Cup debut at the tournament hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, with key players that include Manchester City defender A

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