Fabio Cannavaro, Italy’s 2006 World Cup–winning captain, has been appointed head coach of Uzbekistan’s national football team as the Central Asian side prepares for its first-ever appearance at the FIFA World Cup in 2026, the Uzbekistan Football Association announced on Monday.
The 52-year-old, regarded as one of the best defenders of his generation, replaces Timur Kapadze, who guided Uzbekistan to a historic World Cup qualification earlier this year. The football body said in a statement that Cannavaro was chosen for his “experience and leadership at the highest levels of world football.”
Cannavaro retired from playing in 2011 after a distinguished 19-year career that included stints with Napoli, Parma, Inter Milan, Juventus, Real Madrid, and Al Ahli in Dubai. As Italy’s captain, he lifted the 2006 World Cup trophy in Berlin and later became one of only three defenders in history to win the Ballon d’Or.
He also earned 136 international caps, making him one of Italy’s most-capped players, and was named FIFA World Player of the Year in 2006.
Since hanging up his boots, Cannavaro’s managerial career has taken him across several continents, offering moments of promise alongside short-lived stints.
He began coaching at Guangzhou Evergrande in China in 2014, followed by a brief spell at Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia (2015–2016). He returned to China to manage Tianjin Quanjian, leading them to promotion and a third-place finish in the Chinese Super League — one of his most successful coaching runs.
Cannavaro rejoined Guangzhou Evergrande in 2017, overseeing more than 130 games and winning the 2019 Chinese Super League title before stepping down in 2021. He also briefly managed China’s national team as caretaker in 2019.
After China, he coached Benevento in Italy’s Serie B (2022–2023) and later took charge of Udinese in 2024, helping them avoid relegation during a short-term contract. His most recent position was with Dinamo Zagreb, a tenure that lasted less than four months before ending in April 2025.
The country secured its first World Cup qualification under Kapadze in June, ending years of near misses. The Uzbekistan Football Association did not disclose the duration of his contract or details about his coaching staff. However, preparations for the World Cup qualifiers and friendlies are expected to begin soon under his leadership.
Africa Digital News, New York
