Uzbekistan make their FIFA World Cup debut against Colombia in the final match of Matchday 1, with kick-off scheduled for 3:00am BST at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

Two debutants, two foreign managers

For Uzbekistan, this is a historic moment — their first appearance at a senior World Cup. The White Wolves are managed by Fabio Cannavaro, the former Italy captain who lifted the trophy in Germany in 2006, marking his first World Cup campaign as a head coach.

Colombia's bench is occupied by Néstor Lorenzo, one of several Argentine managers guiding South American and international sides at this tournament. A former Argentina assistant coach, Lorenzo has been in charge since 2022 and steered Los Cafeteros to qualification by finishing third in an extremely tight CONMEBOL standings — part of a remarkable 28-game unbeaten run.

Uzbekistan's strengths and key players

Uzbekistan secured their place at this World Cup by finishing second to Iran across both AFC qualifying groups. Defensively, they showed real solidity, keeping seven clean sheets in their final 10 qualifying matches. Manchester City centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov, just 22 years old, has been outstanding for club and country alike this season.

Colombia's World Cup pedigree

Colombia missed the 2022 World Cup entirely, but they carry strong memories of past tournaments. They reached the round of 16 in 2018 and the quarter-finals in 2014 — their finest showing to date. That 2014 campaign was lit up by James Rodriguez's iconic volley against Uruguay, a goal widely regarded as one of the tournament's greatest ever. Colombia's last World Cup on American soil, in 1994, ended in painful circumstances, with Andrés Escobar tragically shot dead back home after scoring an own goal against the United States.

Group K and what's at stake

This is the first senior international meeting between Uzbekistan and Colombia. The result will carry significant weight in Group K, which also features Portugal and DR Congo — sides who faced each other in Houston earlier in the matchday.

Colombia's opening two fixtures are both in Mexico before they travel to Hard Rock Stadium to face Portugal in their final group game.

FourFourTwo predicts a tight, cautious contest: Uzbekistan 0-1 Colombia.