FIFA World Cup 2026: Cannavaro takes responsibility for Uzbekistan’s heavy defeat against Portugal

Uzbekistan coach Fabio Cannavaro took responsibility for his side’s 5-0 Group K World Cup defeat to Portugal on Tuesday, but insisted it was a team growing on the international stage and would be better for Houston’s bitter experience.

Cannavaro’s side are on the brink of elimination in their World Cup debut after also losing 3-1 to Colombia and have a final match against the Democratic Republic of Congo on Saturday when a win is a must to keep alive their hopes of a place in the round of 32.

“They tried everything, they did their best, I am very proud,” Cannavaro told reporters. “We have to keep believing until we can’t go any further mathematically.”

Cannavaro, who won the World Cup with Italy in 2006, said the blame for the defeat should be his and not his players.

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«All my life I have taken responsibility, as a player and as a coach. If we lost 5-0, it is because I made mistakes today, not them (the players),» he said.

«This is our first time at the World Cup. I told the players that they can misplace a pass and make mistakes. Because I have to give them the confidence to try to improve.»

Uzbekistan were denied a superb goal from Azizjon Ganiev at 2-0 when it was disallowed for a foul in the build-up, and Cannavaro admitted it threw his team off balance.

“The disallowed goal really had an impact on our confidence,” he said. “It was a shame because we started playing the same way we did against Colombia, we played bravely,” he said.

«I asked them to be braver, to play football and not be afraid. If you have that mentality, you can grow as a team and grow individually.»

“We are here to gain experience, even if we are going to lose.”

Published on June 24, 2026