The preparation of Uzbekistan’s national team for the 2026 World Cup is attracting great interest among fans. Famous football expert Alisher Nikimbaev also commented on this issue, sharing his thoughts on how the coaching staff of the national team should be formed.
According to Nikimbaev, it is very important to find the right balance in this matter. In his opinion, the key question is: are we looking for a coach only for the 2026 World Cup or also considering the Asian Cup? After all, there are only six months left until the Asian Cup. Therefore, this is not just about one tournament, but about a coach who can lead the team in both major competitions.
— This is like chess, — said Nikimbaev. — Once you make a move, you must know your next steps in advance. If we now hand everything over to a foreign specialist and rush to bring him in, it may not be the right decision. Before inviting Löw, Bilić, Capello, or Ancelotti, we must clearly understand what we expect from him, which tasks he should solve, and for how long he will work.
According to the expert, half of the current Uzbekistan squad is over 30 years old, and the others will soon reach that age. Therefore, renewal of the squad will inevitably become necessary. Nikimbaev predicts that unless there are serious injuries or bright young talents, the same squad that qualified for the World Cup will participate in it.
He paid special attention to Timur Kapadze:
— In my opinion, Kapadze must remain in the national team. In what role — this can be discussed separately, but his presence is necessary for the future of the team. He knows young players better than anyone and knows how to work with them. Through “Olimpik,” he has prepared hundreds of players, and they could form the backbone of the national team in the future.
Even if a foreign coach is invited, Nikimbaev believes Kapadze’s role must remain significant. He knows the capabilities of local players and can guide the foreign specialist.
At the same time, he pointed out some of Kapadze’s weaknesses. For example, he still lacks experience in major tournaments such as the World Cup or the Olympics. According to Nikimbaev, this was the reason why the team failed to show the expected results in Paris.
In conclusion, he emphasized that the best option for Uzbekistan is to create a coaching staff that combines local and foreign experience. A foreign coach can serve as a consultant, while Kapadze should lead the process of building the national team’s foundation.
The final decision rests with the Uzbekistan Football Association. But one thing is clear: with the team set to play at the World Cup, choosing the right coaching staff will be a decisive factor.
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