FIFA medical committee bars Masharipov from World Cup due to injury relapse

The national team is scheduled to kick off its historic tournament campaign against Colombia on 18 June at 7:00 Tashkent time. The squad completed its official training sessions in Atlanta before traveling to Mexico City.

According to the UFA, Masharipov had been short of match fitness for an extended period and was unable to participate fully in team training sessions. The team's medical staff had implemented targeted recovery measures and designed an individualized preparation program to accelerate his return, but the final medical data presented to FIFA ultimately barred him from competing.

The decision follows weeks of physical complications for the veteran midfielder. On 10 June, the football association disclosed that Masharipov had sat out the team's final training sessions during their preparatory camp in the United States, missing friendly matches against Canada and the Netherlands due to lower back pain.

Medical staff reported that while initial physical therapy and medication provided temporary relief, the pain returned shortly after. Subsequent MRI scans revealed a recurrence of an intervertebral hernia.

Masharipov had previously expressed optimism about his recovery. On 13 June, the player stated that his condition was improving following intense treatment from the medical team, and he had hoped to rejoin full squad training within days.

The midfielder also noted that he had been managing this specific hernia condition for five to six years, occasionally playing through the pain with the help of medical injections, as he did during a high-profile match against Iran in Tashkent three years ago. Despite his personal hopes of securing a spot in the final 26–player roster, the structural nature of the injury led tournament officials to prioritize his long-term health, paving the way for Jiyanov to enter the squad.