Uzbekistan v Colombia: World Cup 2026 line-ups, stats and preview, TV channel, live online stream and prediction

Cape Verde’s 0-0 draw against Spain and Australia’s 2-0 win over Turkiye are “textbook examples” of the defensive rigour Uzbekistan need to show at the World Cup, centre-back Rustam Ashurmatov says before his side start their campaign against Colombia in Mexico City on Thursday.

Having conceded only 11 goals in 16 matches to qualify automatically behind Iran, the White Wolves have at least two inspirational defensive figures among their ranks in manager Fabio Cannavaro and centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov, who became the first player from Uzbekistan to join a Premier League club when he signed for Manchester City from Lens for around £33.6 million in January 2025.

“If we don’t make individual mistakes, we are fully ready for the game,” Ashurmatov told the Uzbekistan Football Association.

“There can be different mistakes and so on but, in any situation, we must fight until the end of those 90 minutes. We will get at least one half-chance or opportunity.”

The bad news for Uzbekistan is that Colombia were prolific in qualifying and secured wins against World Cup holders Argentina and record five-time winners Brazil along the way.

Los Cafeteros did not qualify in 2022 but won six games and lost twice across the two preceding World Cup tournaments, reaching the last 16 in 2018 and quarter-finals in 2014.

“We have seen that Uzbekistan are a team that has fast transitions,” observed midfielder Juan Portilla. “Their full-backs go on the attack a lot. That is a very, very strong point of theirs, and one that we have been seeing how to counteract.

“There’s always a little bit of anxiety, and that’s also important – to be alert to that anxiety before such an important opening game at a World Cup. We’re calm because we know what a great group we have to face it.”

This is the second match in Group K, which starts when Portugal face DR Congo in Mexico City on Wednesday (18:00 BST).

World Cup 2026: Uzbekistan v Colombia team news

Centre-back Husniddin Aliqulov missed out on Uzbekistan’s squad after having knee surgery in February. Right-back Khojiakbar Alijonov (calf) and Aziz Ganiev (knock) are doubts.

Hugely experienced attacking midfielder Jaloliddin Masharipov has not featured for more than a year, missing both of his country’s warm-up friendlies with a back issue following his return from a serious knee injury.

There were fears over James Rodriguez’s health when the Colombia captain was hospitalised with severe dehydration in April but the former Real Madrid playmaker and 2014 World Cup golden boot winner returned with assists in each of their friendlies against Costa Rica and Jordan this month.

Left-back Deiver Machado made a brief appearance against Los Ticos, having missed two matches for Nantes in May with a dead leg.

Uzbekistan v Colombia World Cup 2026 predicted line-ups

Uzbekistan starting XI: Utkir Yusupov, Rustam Ashurmatov, Abdukodir Khusanov, Jakhongir Urozov, Farrukh Sayfiev, Akmal Mozgovoy, Otabek Shukurov, Sherzod Nasrullaev, Abbosbek Fayzullaev, Oston Urunov, Eldor Shomurodov

Colombia starting XI: Camilo Vargas, Daniel Munoz, Davinson Sanchez, Jhon Lucumi, Johan Mojica, James Rodriguez, Gustavo Puerta, Jhon Arias, Jefferson Lerma, Luis Diaz, Luis Suarez

Where to watch Uzbekistan v Colombia: TV channel, live online stream

Kick-off on Thursday is at 03:00 BST (22:00 ET on Wednesday / 19:00 on Wednesday PT). In the UK, live coverage is on BBC One.

Streaming on a vast range of devices is available through the BBC iPlayer app and BBC Sport website.

World Cup 2026: Uzbekistan v Colombia stats

• Uzbekistan are making their World Cup debut and aiming to become the first team since Slovakia in 2010 to reach the knockout stage on their maiden appearance
• They are one of only five teams to have reached the knockout stage of the AFC Asian Cup at each of the last six tournaments, alongside Iran, Iraq, Japan and Korea Republic.
• Qatar were the only team to beat Uzbekistan in their 16 qualifiers, scoring the winner in the 12th minute of added time at home
• Eldor Shomurodov was involved in more goals than any other Uzbekistan player in qualifying, contributing five goals and four assists
• Head coach Fabio Cannavaro played every minute as captain of winners Italy at the 2006 World Cup, with his appearances at four editions a joint-record for the Azzurri
• Appointed in October 2025, Cannavaro is in his second managerial spell with a national team after leading China PR in 2019
• This will be Colombia’s seventh World Cup appearance and their first since 2018, with their best
• performance coming in 2014 with a run to a quarter-final defeat against hosts Brazil
• None of Colombia’s World Cup matches have ended 0-0; only Austria (29) have featured in more World Cup matches without a goalless draw
• Only Argentina (31) scored more goals than Colombia (28) in CONMEBOL qualifying. They scored more headers (7) than any other nation
• Lionel Messi (8) is the only player to have scored more than Colombia’s Luis Diaz (7) in South American qualifying
• Rodriguez led the assist charts with seven, which was three more than any other player
• Colombia boss Nestor Lorenzo is at his first World Cup as a coach but is one of three managers at the 2026 tournament to have played in a final at the tournament, having featured for Argentina in the 1990 showpiece against West Germany
• Lorenzo guided Colombia to their first Copa America final in 23 years in 2024, losing after extra time to Argentina

World Cup 2026: Uzbekistan v Colombia prediction

Uzbekistan 0-2 Colombia

Colombia have scored in each of their last nine matches at the finals and will be able to break Uzbekistan down if they continue their qualifying form. The underdogs’ friendly results this month suggest they should hold their own, remaining level until the 58th minute in a 2-0 defeat to Canada and only losing to the Netherlands via a last-gasp penalty.

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