Kannavaro said that the first participation in JCH-2026 would not be easy

Fabio Cannavaro, the head coach of the Uzbekistan national team, participated in a press conference following the match against Portugal in the second round of the 2026 World Cup group stage. Zamin.uz reported on this.

The Italian specialist emphasized that he knew from the start that our national team's first appearance at the World Cup would not be easy. According to him, it was clear that difficult challenges awaited since Uzbekistan was placed in the same group as strong opponents such as Colombia and Portugal.

Cannavaro noted that it is natural for a first appearance at the World Cup to be difficult. "After the draw results came out and we saw Colombia and Portugal, we realized that we were in a very difficult group," the coach stated.

Despite the heavy defeat against Portugal, the head coach expressed pride in his players' efforts. Cannavaro reminded that he had expressed positive thoughts about his team after the initial match against Colombia and said his attitude had not changed after the clash with Portugal.

"I said I was proud of my team after the game against Colombia. I am proud of them today as well.

Because I saw the players on the field: they faced difficulties, but they did not give up for a single second," the Uzbekistan Football Federation press service quoted the coach. The Portugal national team possesses high-level players in all lines and is considered one of the main favorites of the tournament.

In Cannavaro's opinion, taking the field against such an opponent is a difficult task for any team. Furthermore, because Portugal drew with DR Congo in the first round, they entered the match against Uzbekistan with high motivation.

"It is always difficult to play against a team with high-level players in all lines. Undoubtedly, they took the field with great motivation," said the Italian specialist.

Cannavaro evaluated the 2026 World Cup as a great school of experience for the Uzbekistan national team. The players are facing the world's strongest national teams and feeling the pace and pressure of a World Cup-level game.

"As I said before, this World Cup is a rich experience for us," the head coach emphasized. Now, the Uzbekistan national team will take the field against the Democratic Republic of Congo in the final round of the group stage.

Fabio Cannavaro's pupils will fight to record their first positive result at the World Cup in this match and to conclude the tournament with dignity. Source: one.uz