The famous Italian coach Fabio Cannavaro arrived in the Uzbek capital, Tashkent, today, Monday, amidst widespread anticipation from football fans in the country, in preparation for taking over the position of head coach of the Uzbek national team. His arrival garnered significant attention from local media, which captured the moment he was welcomed at Tashkent International Airport accompanied by an official delegation from the Uzbekistan Football Association.

Cannavaro's presence follows a series of advanced negotiations between the two parties over the past weeks, with the official signing now just a matter of time, according to local media sources. It is expected that the official appointment will be announced in the coming days, allowing the former star to begin his new coaching journey in Asia, following previous experiences in China, Italy, and Croatia.

Cannavaro will be responsible for preparing the Uzbek national team for the final qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, which is the biggest challenge awaiting him in the upcoming phase. The Italian coach will hold several meetings with federation officials, in addition to inspecting training facilities and players, and developing a comprehensive plan to enhance the team's performance on both technical and physical levels.

On another note, the potential contract with Cannavaro has sparked debate in the Uzbek sports community, with some welcoming his international experience and leadership qualities, while others expressed reservations, calling for a coach with a more stable track record in managing national teams. Nevertheless, there remains great hope that Cannavaro will bring a qualitative leap to the national team's journey towards global competitions.