Uzbekistan

Observers may see that Uzbekistan are managed by Fabio Cannavaro and laugh it off as an amusing oddity, but in practice it's actually quite fitting that a nation with such a strong defensive footballing identity be coached by one of the greatest defenders in footballing history. Cannavaro has experience managing Asian sides across China and Saudi Arabia (with brief stints at Benevento and Udinese) and is well-versed in Uzbekistan's 3-4-3 system, originally installed by previous manager Srečko Katanec, who stepped down due to health issues.

Given the above, you can probably build a decent picture of Uzbekistan's approach. Without the ball, the White Wolves drop into a 5-4-1 or 5-3-2 defensive shape. In possession they attack vertically and with crosses, opting into aerial duels and taking advantage of their physical strength and height, especially with players like Eldor Shomurodov or Jakhongir Urozov. The midfield core of Odiljon Hamrobekov, Otabek Shukurov and Abbosbek Fayzullaev can be counted on to play incisive line-breaking through balls or initiate quick short passing sequences to open up vertical space for a Shomurodov run, but players behind like centre-half Abdukodir Khusanov are just as willing. One note that starting RWB Khojiakbar Alijonov is dealing with a calf issue and may be spelled by Farrukh Sayfiev to start the tournament.