Uzbekistan vs Colombia
Key Details
2026 FIFA World Cup – Group Stage, Group K
Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
Wednesday 17 June, 8:00 PM local (3:00 AM BST Thursday 18 June)
Our Prediction
Uzbekistan 0-1 Colombia
Key Stat
These two nations have never met before in any competition
Top Tip
Under 2.5 goals
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Match Preview
Team News and Predicted XIs
Head to Head
Tips and Prediction

Uzbekistan make their first ever World Cup appearance when they face Colombia in the opening round of Group K at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City at 3:00 AM BST on Thursday 18 June.

The White Wolves, coached by 2006 World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro, take on a Colombia side returning to the tournament after missing out on Qatar 2022, with both teams eyeing a positive start in a group that also includes Portugal and DR Congo.

Uzbekistan vs Colombia form and preview

Recent Form
Uzbekistan
W W D L L
Colombia
W L L W W

Uzbekistan sit 50th in the FIFA world rankings and built their historic qualification on a remarkably solid defensive record, conceding just 11 goals in 16 Asian qualifying matches.

Cannavaro’s side finished second behind Iran in both qualifying stages, winning six of their 10 matches (D3, L1) in the third round, while keeping seven clean sheets across that spell.

Across their last five matches, Uzbekistan secured a 4-2 victory in a friendly encounter with Armenia side Urartu, followed by a 3-1 win over Gabon in March’s FIFA Series, before completing that campaign with a penalty triumph over Venezuela after a goalless draw over 90 minutes.

Those encouraging results were followed by a reality check ahead of the tournament, with a 2-0 defeat to co-hosts Canada and a 2-1 loss to the Netherlands in New York exposing the gap in quality against stronger opposition.

Captain Eldor Shomurodov is the focal point of the attack, bringing 44 goals in 92 international appearances into the tournament, having also finished the Turkish Super Lig season as joint top scorer with 22 goals for Istanbul Basaksehir.

Uzbekistan vs Colombia comparison
Last 5 games
Uzbekistan
Colombia
FIFA Ranking
50th
13th
Wins
2
3
Draws
1
0
Losses
2
2
Goals Scored
8
10
Goals Conceded
7
6
Clean Sheets
1
2

Colombia are ranked 13th in the world and qualified in third place from the South American section, finishing behind only Argentina and Uruguay with seven wins, seven draws and four defeats.

Nestor Lorenzo’s side scored 28 goals during qualifying, with Luis Diaz leading the way on seven and James Rodriguez topping the assist charts with seven of his own.

The Colombians arrive in Mexico with momentum from two warm-up victories, beating Costa Rica 3-1 and Jordan 2-0, with Jhon Arias netting both goals in the latter fixture.

Defeats to Croatia (1-2) and France (1-3) during the March window serve as a reminder that Colombia can be got at against top-level opposition, but 10 goals across their last five outings underline the attacking threat they carry.

The altitude in Mexico City, at roughly 2,250 metres above sea level, could serve as an equaliser in this contest, sapping the energy required for sustained high pressing as the match wears on.

Team news: Uzbekistan vs Colombia

Uzbekistan

Outs and Doubts
Doubt
Khojiakbar Alijonov
Defender – Fitness
Doubt
Azizjon Ganiev
Midfielder – Fitness
Doubt
Jaloliddin Masharipov
Midfielder – Back problem

Cannavaro has primarily used a three-at-the-back system (3-4-2-1) since taking charge, a shape that maximises the influence of Manchester City centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov.

Jaloliddin Masharipov, who has 74 caps and 12 goals for his country, is a doubt with a back problem, while Alijonov and Ganiev are also uncertain to feature.

Abbosbek Fayzullaev, still only 22 years old and named AFC Youth Player of the Year in 2023, provides the creative spark and scored four goals during qualifying.

The attack will be spearheaded by Shomurodov, supported by Fayzullaev and Oston Urunov in the number 10 positions, with Otabek Shukurov and Odiljon Hamrobekov anchoring the midfield.

Colombia

Outs and Doubts
None
Full squad available
No injuries reported

Colombia have a fully fit squad at Lorenzo’s disposal, giving the head coach every option for this opening fixture.

Camilo Vargas is expected to start in goal, with Davinson Sanchez of Galatasaray and Jhon Lucumi of Bologna forming the central defensive partnership.

The attacking trio behind striker Luis Suarez should comprise Luis Diaz on the left, Jhon Arias on the right and captain James Rodriguez as the central playmaker.

Diaz was outstanding for Bayern Munich in the 2025-26 campaign, contributing 15 goals and 14 assists in the Bundesliga, while Rodriguez, at 34 years old with 126 caps, provides the experience and passing range that make Colombia tick.

Uzbekistan vs Colombia injuries and predicted XIs

Predicted Uzbekistan XI (3-4-2-1): Yusupov; Abdullaev, Khusanov, Ashurmatov; Sayfiev, Shukurov, Hamrobekov, Nasrullaev; Fayzullaev, Urunov; Shomurodov.

Predicted XI
Uzbekistan
3-4-2-1
U Yusupov
A Abdullaev
A Khusanov
R Ashurmatov
S Nasrullaev
O Shukurov
O Hamrobekov
F Sayfiev
A Fayzullaev
O Urunov
E Shomurodov

Predicted Colombia XI (4-2-3-1): Vargas; Munoz, Sanchez, Lucumi, Mojica; Lerma, Puerta; Arias, Rodriguez, Diaz; Suarez.

Predicted XI
Colombia
4-2-3-1
C Vargas
J Mojica
J Lucumi
D Sanchez
D Munoz
G Puerta
J Lerma
L Diaz
J Rodriguez
J Arias
L Suarez

Head-to-head: Uzbekistan vs Colombia

Head-to-head record
These two nations have never played each other
Uzbekistan 0 Draws 0 Colombia 0

There is no previous meeting between these two nations, making this Group K opener the first chapter in their head-to-head history.

The absence of any prior encounter removes historical precedent from the equation, but the gulf in ranking (50th versus 13th) and tournament experience points clearly towards Colombia.

This is Uzbekistan’s debut at a World Cup, while Colombia are appearing for the seventh time and won five of their six group stage matches across the 2014 and 2018 editions.

For football betting markets, Colombia are heavy favourites at approximately 1.40, with the draw around 4.80 and an Uzbekistan win north of 9.00.

Our Uzbekistan vs Colombia prediction and tips

Top Tip
Under 2.5 goals
1.90
Uzbekistan built their entire qualifying campaign on defensive discipline, conceding just 11 goals in 16 matches. World Cup openers are historically cagey affairs, and the altitude of Mexico City will sap intensity in the closing stages, all of which point towards a low-scoring encounter.
Value Bet
Colombia to win to nil
2.10
Uzbekistan failed to score in two of their last three matches, drawing 0-0 with Venezuela and losing 2-0 to Canada. Cannavaro’s 3-4-2-1 system prioritises defensive structure at the expense of attacking output, and Colombia’s back line has enough quality to keep the White Wolves at bay.
Longshot
Correct score: 0-1
5.50
Colombia possess the quality to win but the Uzbekistan low block and altitude should limit the margin. The 3-4-2-1 is designed to congest the central areas and make a second goal difficult to come by on a night where neither side will be entirely comfortable at 2,250 metres.
Free Choice
Luis Diaz anytime scorer
2.50
Diaz closed the Bundesliga season with 15 goals and 14 assists for Bayern Munich, and he is the most dangerous attacking weapon in this Colombia squad. Operating from the left wing with licence to cut inside, he represents the likeliest route to goal for Lorenzo’s side.
Score prediction
Uzbekistan 0-1 Colombia
Colombia have comfortably more quality across the pitch, but this will not be a straightforward evening for them. Cannavaro’s three-centre-back system, anchored by Manchester City’s Khusanov, is built to absorb pressure, and the altitude of Mexico City will gradually drain energy from both sides. Expect a controlled Colombian victory decided by a single goal.
  • Colombia have won five of six group stage matches across the 2014 and 2018 World Cups
  • Uzbekistan conceded just 11 goals in 16 qualifying matches, demonstrating a resilient defensive structure
  • Luis Diaz contributed 15 goals and 14 assists in the Bundesliga this season for Bayern Munich
  • Uzbekistan failed to score in two of their last three matches, highlighting limited attacking output
  • The altitude of Mexico City (2,250 metres) is a factor that reduces physical intensity late on and favours teams defending in a deep block