The recent 2026 FIFA World Cup draw held in the United States sparked significant interest, not only in the football world but also in Uzbekistan. Fans eagerly followed which opponents the national team would face. Ravshan Haydarov, an experienced coach with years of successful service for Uzbekistan's youth national team, shared his in-depth thoughts on the draw results and the team’s prospects via “Sports.uz”.
According to Haydarov, the ceremony was organized in a unique manner and generated considerable intrigue among all participants. He noted that regardless of which team was drawn from the first pot, it was evident that it would be a strong team. While many had hoped for one of the hosts as opponents, the draw’s outcome should be assessed objectively and realistically.
In his view, Uzbekistan has been placed in a very suitable group, one where they can compete. Portugal is a high-level, elite team, while Colombia has maintained its reputation as a strong contender over the years. Once the fourth team in the group is determined, the analysis will become even clearer, but in the World Cup, there is no concept of a "weak opponent."
As Haydarov emphasized, every player participating in the World Cup competes with maximum enthusiasm, making the matches even more intense and dramatic. Therefore, Uzbekistan must thoroughly study its opponents and arrange appropriate friendly matches. The coaching staff has already begun the necessary preparations in this regard.
He also highlighted the team’s progress in recent years, evident in their stable performances against Egypt and Iran. “We are capable of playing against anyone. The most important thing is to arrive at the World Cup in good form, with a healthy squad,” the coach stated.
When asked about the draw, he remarked, “Our group is absolutely decent. It could have been even tougher. We are facing opponents we can compete with,” he affirmed.
Reflecting on his initial impressions of Fabio Cannavaro, Haydarov noted that the team’s morale is improving positively. According to him, the players are showing even greater enthusiasm to prove themselves under the new coaching staff. While tactical changes are not yet significant, the team’s psychological readiness has notably improved.
In Haydarov’s opinion, experienced coaches like Cannavaro are capable of developing individualized tactical strategies for each opponent. “This is very important for us. New ideas and modern approaches will further elevate the national team’s level,” Haydarov said.
The team’s objective is clear: to successfully move beyond the group stage and achieve a historic result.
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