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TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN – MARCH 30: Fabio Cannavaro, Head Coach of Uzbekistan, reacts during the international friendly match between Uzbekistan and Venezuela on March 30, 2026 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. (Photo by Anvar Ilyasov/Getty Images)
Supporters have been critical of the United States and their hosting of the 2026 World Cup after Fabio Cannavaro and his Uzbekistan national team colleagues were stopped and searched upon their arrival for a pre-tournament friendly on Monday evening.
In an extraordinary video that was televised by ESPN in Central America, Cannavaro, the Uzbekistan coaching staff and players were stopped and searched by security officials immediately after stepping off their team coach upon arrival for a warm-up match against the Netherlands ahead of the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
The footage shows all members of Cannavaro’s coaching and playing staff being searched by security personnel bearing metal-detecting wands. They were all made to place their bags and equipment in a pile on the floor outside their team coach while security staff, which appeared to include a sniffer dog and its handler, watched on.
Clips online shows that the Senegal national team were given similar treatment on the tarmac immediately after landing in the United States ahead of the upcoming World Cup.
There have also been concerns surrounding the denial of entry for fans, members of coaching staff and national team delegates, and most recently, it has been confirmed that Somalian referee Omar Artan will not be allowed into the country and will be unable to participate at the upcoming tournament.
Watch: Cannavaro and Uzbekistan stopped and searched before 2026 World Cup
ByPeter Young
Peter Young is a Senior Reporter with Football Italia.
