The experienced midfielder of Uzbekistan’s national football team, Otabek Shukurov, gave an exclusive interview to championat.asia, discussing the team's preparation and prospects for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The player shared his thoughts on the strong opponents in their group and key updates in their training routine.
Opponents and Opportunities in the World Cup
Commenting on the group draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026, Shukurov emphasized the challenges awaiting them:
“We saw the draw. To showcase a decent performance against our rivals, we need excellent preparation. Many think playing against Colombia will be easy, but that’s not the case. Portugal and Colombia are very strong teams... We will strive to participate honorably in our first World Cup. Our goal is to achieve good results and make our fans proud.”
According to Shukurov, the strongest team in the group is Portugal. However, he highly rated Uzbekistan’s spirit: "Colombia is also a strong team. But Uzbekistan is ranked ‘higher' (even above them).”
Travel Distances: Concerns and Accommodations
Despite the fact that the group stage matches will take place in three cities with distances ranging from 800 to 1,000 kilometers between them, Shukurov expressed hope that the issue would be resolved:
“The World Cup is never easy. You have to be ready for any situation. Federation officials will find a solution to this. FIFA is also likely to provide good conditions. One thing that pleased me is that even though the distances are long, there is a gap of five days between matches instead of just three or four.”
He noted that the outcome of the first match will greatly influence the team's performance in the subsequent games.
“European Standards” in the Coaching Staff
Discussing the updates in the team’s preparation process, Shukurov highlighted the importance of minor details. Key changes during the latest training camp included:
- Introduction of Professional Chefs: The head coach brought in 2-3 chefs from Europe. “Whenever you enter the dining area, the most essential meals needed by players will be available. Traditional dishes like ‘osh’ have been reduced in frequency.”
- Vitamins and Recovery: Players are provided with vitamins before training sessions and recovery supplements afterwards.
- Additional Specialists: The head coach also announced plans to bring in a physiotherapist from Europe.
Otabek Shukurov: “There are no minor details in football. It is exactly these small details that can make a big difference... If we follow their requirements and keep working, we will continue to improve.”
Physical Condition: Emphasis on Speed
The coaching staff is consistently advising the team regarding their physical fitness. During the latest training camp, the head coach shared data about the average running distance of teams during the previous World Cup.
Otabek Shukurov: “It’s not the distance you cover but the speed at which you do it that matters. This is the area where we are slightly behind. The coach emphasized the need to reach that level and provided advice on how to do so.”
The team has already begun their preparations, aiming to adapt to high-intensity play.
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