Legendary ex-Italy defender Fabio Cannavaro takes shock new international job ahead of 2026 World Cup

 

🇺🇿 Cannavaro to Lead Uzbekistan’s Historic Campaign

Cannavaro has verbally agreed to become Uzbekistan’s head coach and will be officially announced within days. The appointment comes as Uzbekistan prepares for its first-ever World Cup appearance, having qualified in June 2025 and currently ranked 54th in the world.

This marks a major milestone for both Cannavaro and Uzbekistan. The former Juventus and Real Madrid star has been without a managerial role since parting ways with Dinamo Zagreb in April, following a brief five-month stint.

🧭 Asian Football Roots

Cannavaro is no stranger to Asian football. He spent seven years managing in the region, including:

• Guangzhou Evergrande (China): 5 seasons across two stints

• Al-Nassr (Saudi Arabia)

• Chinese national team

His familiarity with the footballing culture and infrastructure in Asia makes him a strategic fit for Uzbekistan’s ambitious World Cup debut.

🗣️ What This Means

Uzbekistan’s decision to appoint a World Cup-winning icon signals their intent to compete—not just participate—on the global stage. Cannavaro’s leadership, tactical acumen, and international pedigree could galvanize a squad that’s already shown promise by finishing second in their AFC qualifying group behind Iran.