The White Wolves take the Azteca pitch tonight in Central Asia's first World Cup match
Uzbekistan's confirmed starting eleven lines up against Colombia at 22:00 local time in Mexico City — 02:00 UTC, 18 June. Eldor Shomurodov leads the line. Cannavaro asks for the game to be played on Uzbekistan's terms.
Uzbekistan's Wednesday: plenary stage, two supertankers, and the Azteca
In a single day Uzbekistan ran its largest investment pitch, watched the first Iranian oil leave through Hormuz since the blockade, and sent eleven men to play the World Cup at the Estadio Azteca. Each is a separate story. Lined up, they describe a country that is having a moment.
Uzbekistan plays its first World Cup match tonight
Central Asia's footballing moment arrives at the Azteca on 17 June, when Uzbekistan face Colombia in their World Cup debut. Ranked 50th, coached by Fabio Cannavaro, they are heavy underdogs — and the first team from the region ever to reach the finals.