The draw for the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, has been announced, and the Uzbekistan national team has been placed in Group “K”. Their opponents are Portugal, Colombia, and the winner of the Congo/Jamaica/New Caledonia qualification match.
The draw has sparked significant discussions among the public. Renowned football commentator Khairulla Khamidov, in an interview with Sports.uz, emphasized that, for Fabio Cannavaro's team, the primary challenge at the moment is Colombia.
According to Khamidov, the game against Colombia in the first round is the most dangerous match for Uzbekistan. The reasoning behind this is the fact that the match will take place in Mexico, where the stadium will likely be filled mostly with Colombian fans, creating psychological pressure for the Uzbekistan team.
The commentator highlighted the highly dangerous attacking lineup of Colombia:
— Luis Díaz — currently one of the strongest pressing wingers in the world.
— James Rodríguez — the "surprise generator" of World Cups, known for unexpected spectacular goals in tournaments.
— Luis Suárez — a physically strong striker who is always capable of scoring.
— Jhon Durán — a relentless forward who strengthens the squad significantly.
Khamidov believes that this lineup alone makes Colombia a highly dangerous opponent. He also stressed that facing Colombia in the first game could potentially pose more challenges than playing against Portugal.
“It’s not out of the question that Colombia could also defeat Portugal. They don’t have issues with game scenarios, whether it’s with or without Ronaldo. The team is well-balanced and fully structured. That’s why the first round will be the main test for Cannavaro,” concluded Khamidov.
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