The publication notes that the upcoming World Cup, hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico, will be a tournament of records: 48 participants, 104 matches, and 4 new teams — Uzbekistan, Curacao, Jordan, and Cape Verde. Among the debutants, the German press focused specifically on the Uzbekistan national team.
The article describes the "White Wolves'" journey to the World Cup as a historic event. In particular, it emphasizes that June 5, 2025, was written in gold letters in the history of Uzbek football, as the match against the UAE (0:0) led by Timur Kapadze secured Uzbekistan's spot in the World Cup. Consequently, Uzbekistan became the first Central Asian nation to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.
German journalists also acknowledged the state-level attention given to football in Uzbekistan. The awarding of honorary titles, orders, and gifts to the players by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev sparked great interest among German readers.
It was noted that the appointment of 2006 World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro as head coach could take the team's play to a new level.
The article specifically highlighted 21-year-old Abdukodir Khusanov as the first Uzbek player in the English Premier League playing under Pep Guardiola, stating that Uzbekistan's defense could be an "iron cage" at the 2026 World Cup.
In Group “K” of the tournament, a tough test awaits Uzbekistan against Colombia and Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo. According to the German publication's conclusion, Cannavaro's tactical knowledge and the players' international experience could make the "White Wolves" the most dangerous debutant of the 2026 World Cup.
