RIYADH, July 12. /Dunyo IA/.  Head coach of the Uzbekistan national team, Italian specialist Fabio Cannavaro, stated that the team gained valuable experience during their participation in the 2026 World Cup, despite their early exit from the tournament, reports Dunyo IA correspondent, citing with the Saudi newspaper “Asharq Al-Awsat”.

Uzbekistan national team lost its chances of advancing to the knockout stage after the second round of the group stage. In their opening match, the team fell to Colombia with a score of 1-3, followed by a 0-5 defeat against Portugal.

Fabio Cannavaro noted that the match against Portugal was a serious test for the players, as the opponent is one of the strongest teams in world football and a contender for high achievements at the tournament. According to him, the experience gained will help the national team develop in the future.

-  I am proud of my players. They played well, - head coach stated.

Following the defeat, the manager emphasized the importance of addressing the team's psychological state and restoring the players' confidence.

Sports experts also noted that the World Cup debutants should not be criticized: the players of the Uzbekistan national team performed bravely, gained vital experience, and got a true sense of what it is like to play against the world's leading teams.