Portugal vs Uzbekistan: Predicted XI for 2026 World Cup clash as Manchester City star Abdukodir Khusanov faces legendary Cristiano Ronaldo

Following their 3-1 decision to Colombia, tourney debutants Uzbekistan volition look Portugal hoping to debar aboriginal elimination connected Tuesday.

The Central Asian federation is managed by erstwhile satellite champion Fabio Cannavaro, who is expected to persist with a 3-4-2-1 enactment contempt the opening-day defeat.

The squad's marquee sanction is 22-year-old Manchester City centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov, who made past by becoming Uzbekistan's archetypal subordinate to diagnostic successful the Premier League.

Composed successful possession and comfy successful choky spaces, Khusanov has developed into a regular starter astatine the Etihad Stadium and enters the tourney arsenic Uzbekistan's astir recognisable fig connected the planetary stage.

Captain Eldor Shomurodov shoulders the goalscoring burden, with the 30-year-old forward, the nation's all-time starring scorer, having spent the 2025-26 play connected indebtedness from Roma astatine Istanbul Basaksehir, wherever helium finished arsenic the Turkish Super Lig's joint-top scorer with 22 goals.

His wealthiness of acquisition successful Serie A, gained during spells with Genoa, Roma and Cagliari, provides Uzbekistan with a proven goalscorer who has demonstrated his prime astatine the highest nine level.

Completing the three-pronged prima contingent is 22-year-old attacking midfielder Abbosbek Fayzullaev, who made past by scoring his country's first-ever World Cup extremity against Colombia past week.

The Istanbul Basaksehir star, who has been capped 33 times by his country, brings creativity and dynamism to the bosom of midfield.

Meanwhile, 18-year-old defender Bekhruz Karimov offers youthful vigor and ambition and played the entirety of the opening lucifer against Colombia.

Uzbekistan imaginable starting lineup: 

Costa; Cancelo, Araujo, Veiga, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, Fernandes; Silva, Neto, Ronaldo

Click here to spot however Portugal could enactment up against Uzbekistan.