PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Behruzjon Karimov |
| Date of Birth | 07/08/2007 (Age: 18) |
| Place of Birth | Tashkent, Uzbekistan |
| Nationality | Uzbekistani |
| Height | 1.80 m / 5 ft 11 in |
| Weight | 68 kg / 150 lb |
| Position | Right-Back |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #2 |
| Current Club | FC Lugano |
| Previous Clubs | Olympic Tashkent, Surkhon Termez |
| International Caps | 4+ |
| International Goals | 0 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | 5-year contract with Lugano |
| Market Value | €350K |
The Frozen Moment
June 23, 2026. Houston, Texas. The FIFA World Cup. Uzbekistan faced Portugal in their second group-stage match. On one side stood Cristiano Ronaldo, 41 years old, a legend of the game playing in his sixth World Cup. On the other, 18-year-old Behruzjon Karimov, making just his second senior international appearance.
The age gap between them was 22 years—the largest between opposing players in World Cup history. Karimov had been called up to the senior national squad for the first time just months earlier, in March 2026. Now, he was marking one of the greatest footballers of all time on the biggest stage.
He had already started against Colombia in Uzbekistan’s historic World Cup debut—the nation’s first-ever match at the tournament. Now, facing Portugal, he played 89 minutes, recording 4 tackles and winning 4 fouls. The match ended 0-5, but Karimov had announced himself to the world.
The tournament ended in the group stage without a point, but Karimov had achieved something extraordinary. At just 18 years old—the youngest player in Uzbekistan’s squad—he had started two World Cup matches. Within weeks of the tournament, he signed a five-year contract with Swiss club Lugano, making the leap to European football. The boy from Tashkent who had played for Olympic and Surkhon was now a World Cup starter and a European footballer.
Origins
Born on August 7, 2007, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Behruzjon Karimov began his football journey at the Odil Junior academy. Standing at 180 cm and possessing a natural right foot, he developed into a modern attacking right-back whose pace and technical ability would make him one of the most promising young talents in Asian football.
Karimov progressed through the youth ranks at RKOR Tashkent before joining the Uzbekistan Super League club Olympic Tashkent, where he made his professional debut. His performances in the Uzbek top flight caught the attention of scouts, and in February 2025, he moved to Surkhon Termez, where he had his breakout season.
The Professional Journey
Olympic Tashkent (2023-2025):
Karimov began his senior career at Olympic Tashkent in the Uzbekistan Super League. Over two seasons, he made 26 league appearances. His consistent performances at the Tashkent-based club established his reputation as a promising young full-back.
Surkhon Termez (2025-2026):
In February 2025, Karimov moved to Surkhon Termez. His time at the club was defined by a rapid rise through the ranks. He made 22-25 appearances, scoring 3 goals and accumulating over 1,700 minutes on the pitch. His performances in the Uzbekistan Super League earned him recognition as one of the most exciting young defenders in the country.
FC Lugano (2026-Present):
In August 2026, following his World Cup performances, Karimov signed a five-year contract with Swiss Super League club FC Lugano. The transfer marked a significant milestone in his career, making the leap to European football. He was expected to provide cover at right-back as Lugano prepared for domestic and European competitions.
His move was particularly timely, as Lugano were in need of a right-back due to uncertainty surrounding Mattia Zanotti’s future at the club. Karimov was anticipated to make his European debut in the UEFA Conference League qualifiers as early as August 2026. As of the transfer, he was valued at approximately €350,000.
The National Team Journey
Karimov has been a fixture of the Uzbekistan national team setup since the youth level. He has represented Uzbekistan at multiple age levels, including the U16, U17, U18, U20, U21, and U23 teams. He was part of the Uzbekistan U17 squad for the 2023 AFC U-17 Asian Cup and was called up to the U23 squad for the 2024 and 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cups.
Senior Debut:
In March 2026, Karimov received his first call-ups to the senior Uzbekistan national team for a set of 2026 FIFA Series matches. He made his senior debut in 2026 and has since earned over 4 caps for his country.
The World Cup Campaign:
Karimov was named in Fabio Cannavaro’s preliminary squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the teenage right-back singled out as one of the players who had caught the coach’s eye. He was ultimately selected in Uzbekistan’s 26-man squad for the tournament, marking the nation’s historic debut at the World Cup.
Karimov started the opening match against Colombia, playing the full 90 minutes in a 3-1 defeat. He recorded 2 shots, 1 tackle, and 3 interceptions in the match. He also started against Portugal, playing 89 minutes in a 5-0 defeat. In that match, he recorded 4 tackles, 5 fouls committed, and 4 fouls won. The match was notable for the 22-year age gap between Karimov and the Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo, who was 41 at the time.
In Uzbekistan’s final group-stage match against DR Congo, Karimov did not feature. Uzbekistan were eliminated in the group stage without earning a point.
International Record:
Karimov has earned over 4 caps for Uzbekistan since his senior debut in 2026. He has not scored an international goal. He was part of Uzbekistan’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Anatomy of His Game
Behruzjon Karimov is a modern attacking right-back known for his pace, technical ability, and composure beyond his years. At 180 cm, he combines physical presence with technical quality and the work rate required of a modern full-back.
In Possession:
Karimov is a capable contributor in attacking phases. In the 2026 World Cup, he recorded 2 shots, both against Colombia. He has scored 3 goals in 25 appearances for Surkhon Termez, demonstrating his ability to contribute in the final third. His ability to overlap and provide width is a key part of his game.
Out of Possession:
Karimov’s defensive contributions are a key attribute. In the 2026 World Cup, he recorded 5 tackles and 3 interceptions across 179 minutes of action. He was named in the squad partly due to his work rate and ability to press, fitting into Cannavaro’s tactical approach. He has made 25 official appearances at the club level since joining Surkhon, logging more than 1,700 minutes on the pitch.
Psychological Edge:
Karimov’s career demonstrates remarkable confidence and adaptability. At just 18 years old, he started two World Cup matches against Colombia and Portugal, marking some of the best players in the world. His rapid rise from the Uzbekistan Super League to the World Cup and a move to a Swiss club reflects a player with immense potential and mental strength. According to the CIES Football Observatory, which assessed performances of players under 19 over the past season against their peers in the same position, Karimov ranked second among Asian players.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot – 2026 World Cup
| Category | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Appearances (Starts) | 2 (2) |
| Minutes Played | 179 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Shots | 2 |
| Shots on Target | 0 |
| Tackles | 5 |
| Interceptions | 3 |
| Fouls Committed | 8 |
| Fouls Won | 4 |
| Yellow Cards | 0 |
| Red Cards | 0 |
TABLE B: The Data Snapshot – Club Career
| Club | Apps | Goals | Minutes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olympic Tashkent | 26 | 0 | — |
| Surkhon Termez | 22-25 | 3 | 1,700+ |
| TOTAL | 48-51 | 3 | 1,700+ |
TABLE C: International Record
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Goals | Major Honours |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 2 | 0 | Group Stage |
| Uzbekistan Senior Career | 4+ | 0 | — |
| Uzbekistan U17 | 15 | 0 | — |
| Uzbekistan U23 | 7 | 1 | — |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Professional Debut | Olympic Tashkent |
| 2023 | AFC U-17 Asian Cup | Uzbekistan U17 squad |
| 2024 | AFC U-23 Asian Cup | Uzbekistan U23 squad |
| 2025 | Surkhon Transfer | Move to Uzbekistan Super League club |
| 2026 | Uzbekistan Debut | Senior international debut |
| 2026 | World Cup Selection | Uzbekistan’s historic debut squad |
| 2026 | World Cup Starter | Started against Colombia and Portugal |
| 2026 | FC Lugano Transfer | Five-year contract with Swiss club |
These figures reveal a player of extraordinary potential who has rapidly ascended through the ranks of Uzbekistani football. Karimov has accumulated over 50 professional appearances, scored 3 goals, and earned over 4 caps for Uzbekistan. His 2026 World Cup appearances marked him as one of the most promising young defenders in Asian football.
The Present Tense
The Club Story:
Behruzjon Karimov is currently a right-back for FC Lugano in the Swiss Super League, having signed a five-year contract with the club in August 2026 following his performances at the World Cup. He transferred from Surkhon Termez, where he had established himself as a key player in the Uzbekistan Super League. His market value was estimated at approximately €350,000 at the time of the transfer. He was expected to make his European debut in the UEFA Conference League qualifiers as early as August 2026.
The World Cup Campaign:
The 2026 FIFA World Cup marked Karimov’s first appearance at the tournament and Uzbekistan’s historic debut. He started two matches, playing 179 minutes against Colombia and Portugal. Uzbekistan were eliminated in the group stage without earning a point.
International Record:
Karimov has earned over 4 caps for Uzbekistan since his debut in 2026. He has not scored an international goal. He was part of Uzbekistan’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Behruzjon Karimov is one of the most promising young talents in Asian football. According to the CIES Football Observatory, which assessed the performances of players under 19 over the past season against their peers in the same position, Karimov ranked second among Asian players. His rapid rise from the Uzbekistan Super League to the World Cup and a European club reflects a player of immense potential.
Karimov’s appearance against Portugal created a World Cup record—the 22-year age gap between him and Cristiano Ronaldo was the largest between opposing players in tournament history. His selection for Uzbekistan’s World Cup squad was highlighted by Fabio Cannavaro as an example of the team’s blend of experience and youth.
His move to Lugano marks his first step into European club football following his appearances at the 2026 World Cup. He has been praised for his composure, defensive contributions, and ability to perform at the highest level despite his age.
The Verdict from the Camp
FIFA (2026):
“Highly-rated teenage right-back Bekhruz Karimov” was one of the players who caught Fabio Cannavaro’s eye in the lead-up to the World Cup.
CIES Football Observatory:
Karimov ranked second among Asian players under 19 in their position-based performance assessment over the past season.
Fabio Cannavaro, Uzbekistan Head Coach:
Cannavaro named Karimov in Uzbekistan’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, selecting him as one of the younger players in the squad.
Statistic:
Karimov created a World Cup record for the largest age gap between opposing players at 22 years, when he faced 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo at the 2026 tournament.
Statistic:
Karimov has made over 50 professional appearances and scored 3 goals since beginning his career in 2023.
Statistic:
Karimov signed a five-year contract with FC Lugano in August 2026 following his World Cup performances.
Where Next?
Behruzjon Karimov is 18 years old and at the very beginning of what promises to be a stellar career. His move to FC Lugano on a five-year contract offers him stability and a platform to develop in European football. He has already established himself as a World Cup starter and one of Asia’s most promising young talents. The Swiss Super League will provide him with regular opportunities to develop against competitive opposition, while Lugano’s participation in European competitions offers additional exposure.
A move to a more prominent European league is a possibility given his age, his performances in the World Cup, and his recognition by the CIES Football Observatory. His pace, technical ability, and composure make him an attractive target for clubs across Europe.
For Uzbekistan, Karimov is a key figure for the future. With World Cup experience under his belt at just 18 years old, he will be central to their ambitions in the next AFC Asian Cup and World Cup cycles. His defensive quality, attacking contributions, and composure on the biggest stage make him a vital asset.
From the youth ranks of Odil Junior to the World Cup stage, from the Uzbekistan Super League to the Swiss Super League, Behruzjon Karimov’s journey is one of rapid acceleration and immense potential. The boy who marked Cristiano Ronaldo at 18 has already achieved what most footballers only dream of—and his story is just beginning.
