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Katanec Resigns as Uzbekistan Head Coach Due to Health

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Tashkent: Srecko Katanec has resigned as head coach of Uzbekistan due to health reasons, with the Uzbekistan Football Association confirming his departure by mutual consent on Wednesday.

The 61-year-old Slovenian coach led the White Wolves to second place in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 2026.

Katanec, who has been with Uzbekistan since August 2021, expressed regret over his inability to fulfill his duties due to his health. Under his leadership, Uzbekistan reached the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup 2023, narrowly losing to hosts Qatar in a penalty shootout.

With Uzbekistan closing in on a potential first-ever FIFA World Cup qualification for 2026, Katanec leaves the team three points behind Iran, with four qualifiers remaining.

The top two teams in the group will secure automatic spots for the 2026 World Cup.

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