Uzbekistan head coach Fabio Cannavaro has taken full responsibility for his side’s 5-0 defeat to Portugal at the 2026 World Cup.
The result knocked the World Cup debutants out of the tournament after their second match in Group K. Speaking after the game, Cannavaro said the loss came down to his own tactical mistakes rather than any failing by the players.
“All my life I have taken responsibility, as a player and as a coach. If we lost 5-0, it is because today I made mistakes, and not them,” he told reporters.
Cannavaro also pointed to a key moment in the match, saying Azizjon Ganiev’s disallowed goal at 2-0 affected the team’s confidence.
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Despite the heavy defeat, he praised the players for their effort and said he would continue to back them. “This is our first time at the World Cup.
I told the players that they can misplace a pass and make mistakes. Because I must give them the confidence to try and improve,” he added.
Uzbekistan’s campaign ends after two games in their first-ever World Cup appearance.
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