Uzbekistan will welcome Venezuela to Milliy Stadion for their final international friendly clash of the FIFA Series. Both teams are battling for the top spot in the series. Uzbekistan will be hoping to build on their triumph last time out, while Venezuela are looking to continue their 100% start to 2026.
Uzbekistan’s Form Under Cannavaro
Managed by Italy legend Fabio Cannavaro, Uzbekistan come into this showdown in excellent form, having tasted defeat just once since a 3-2 World Cup qualifying loss against Qatar in November 2024. That stretch features an ongoing five-game unbeaten run that goes back to their narrow 2-1 beating at the hands of Uruguay in a friendly on October 13, and was most recently bolstered by a commendable 3-1 triumph over Gabon on Friday.
Gabon took an early lead in that clash through Teddy Averlant. However, efforts from Eldor Shomurodov and Jahongir Urozov either side of half time, as well as a stoppage-time sealer from Alisher Odilov, saw Cannavaro’s men bounce back.
That victory has Uzbekistan second in the table, level on three points with their opponents. With the series only lasting for two rounds, the White Wolves will be keen to come out on top on home soil in order to boost morale ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
The hosts will take heart from the fact that they have won four of their last five matches as the home side, including an impressive 2-0 victory over Egypt on November 14.
Venezuela Seek to Continue Winning Start
Venezuela missed out on a place at this summer’s World Cup, but after a strong showing last time out, they could salvage some pride from topping this FIFA Series. Oswaldo Vizcarrondo’s side secured a dramatic 4-1 comeback win against Trinidad and Tobago on Friday, though they could have been out of the running early on.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Levi Garcia missed a penalty with just two minutes on the clock, before Reon Moore opened the scoring shortly after the interval. It seemed that La Vinotinto would leave empty handed.
However, Venezuela’s Delvin Alfonzo and Salomon Rondon each scored a brace to collect all three points for their country in a dominant final half hour, setting the stakes for Monday’s showdown with Uzbekistan.
Vizcarrondo’s men will be eyeing first place, but given that Friday’s win was just their second in seven games – a run that includes a troubling five defeats – it remains to be seen whether they can earn back-to-back triumphs for the first time since a 2-0 victory over Bolivia in June 2025.
Potential Lineups
Keen to secure first place as the hosts, Uzbekistan could opt for a back three of Jakhongir Urozov, Rustam Ashurmatov and Umar Eshmuradov once again, shielding goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov. Cannavaro could also opt to have Odildzhon Khamrobekov and Otabek Shukurov patrol the cen
Uzbekistan will be keen to come out on top on home soil in order to boost morale ahead of the 2026 World Cup.