Fabio Cannavaro has moved to shut down claims of mistreatment towards his Uzbekistan side after footage emerged of the squad being subjected to intense security screenings in the United States. The legendary Italian defender, currently leading the Asian nation into their first-ever World Cup, insisted that the use of sniffer dogs and tarmac searches was simply standard procedure.
Fabio Cannavaro was caught up in an unexpected security check after arriving in the United States with the Uzbekistan national team. Footage circulating online shows the former Ballon d'Or winner having his belongings searched as part of extensive screening procedures ahead of Uzbekistan's friendly against the Netherlands.
The Netherlands narrowly escaped a major setback in their final pre-World Cup friendly, securing a dramatic 2-1 victory over Uzbekistan in Manhattan. A late stoppage-time penalty from Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo spared the blushes for Ronald Koeman's side, though the hard-fought triumph was heavily overshadowed by significant squad injury concerns.
Netherlands' World Cup preparations have been rocked by the news that Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber has been forced to withdraw from the squad. Despite travelling to the United States with Ronald Koeman's side, the versatile defender has failed to overcome a persistent injury in time for the tournament opener.
Benni McCarthy, Aaron Mokoena and Quinton Fortune to lead studio coverage as SportyTV offers South Africans the complete World Cup experience for just R10.
FIFA has announced a significant protocol modification that will see every squad member take part in the pre-match national anthems at the upcoming World Cup. Moving away from traditional sporting custom, football's global governing body has mandated that both starting line-ups and substitutes congregate together on the pitch ahead of kick-off.
Canada face Uzbekistan and Republic of Ireland in their final pre-World Cup friendlies, with Jesse Marsch managing injury concerns after Marcelo Flores’ heartbreaking setback and searching for goals from Jonathan David and Cyle Larin.
FIFA has confirmed the key dates and squad regulations for the 2026 World Cup. Nations must submit their final player lists by June 1, with strict rules in place regarding injuries, replacements and goalkeeper selections.
The World Cup 2026 draw has been made, with England set to face Croatia in the group stages, and the USMNT to take on Australia. Brazil have been drawn with Morocco, while France will play Senegal and Argentina must face Austria.
South Africa's World Cup group opponents will be officially revealed on Friday evening, with the draw set to take place at the John F. Kennedy Centre in Washington, DC, United States. The Mzansi side has been placed in Pot 3, alongside Norway, Egypt, Tunisia, Panama, Ivory Coast, Paraguay, Qatar, Scotland, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, and Algeria.
The much-anticipated global football tournament will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Italy head coach Gennaro Gattuso revealed the details of his phone call with former World Cup-winning team-mate Fabio Cannavaro, who was appointed as the new head coach of the Uzbekistan national team earlier this week. The former midfielder had a cheeky dig at the Ballon d'Or winner for taking over a side that has already qualified for the World Cup while the Azzurri are "stuck in the trenches" in the battle to secure a place.
World Cup-winning captain and Ballon d’Or winner Fabio Cannavaro has taken charge of Uzbekistan, leading the Asian underdogs into uncharted territory ahead of their first-ever World Cup campaign in 2026. For a nation long on promise but short on global recognition, his arrival marks the beginning of an audacious new era built on ambition.
Former Italy defender Fabio Cannavaro is all set to take up a shock new international job ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The Ballon d'Or winning ex-Juventus star was without a job since Dinamo Zagreb parted ways with him in April this year. However, Cannavaro is now set to return to football management to lead Uzbekistan in their maiden appearance at the 2026 World Cup.
Uzbekistan
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