The Uzbekistan national team welcomed young Isfandiyar during one of its training sessions — the boy who appeared in a video shedding tears after a Colombian goal against Uzbekistan, while Colombian fans continued chanting the Uzbek team's name in a collective gesture of consolation that drew widespread praise on social media.
Italian coach Fabio Cannavaro, in a message posted on his Instagram account, explained that the squad had seen young Isfandiyar crying after the match against Colombia, which moved them deeply and prompted them to invite him to attend one of their training sessions.
The Italian coach said that football "must be a source of happiness and joy for everyone," stressing that the team could not ignore the boy's feelings after the moment captured by cameras in the stands.
He added that the players wanted to restore to Isfandiyar "the smile and sense of reassurance he had lost at the stadium," and to give him once again that feeling of lightness and joy that should accompany all children.
Uzbekistan had lost their opening World Cup match against Colombia 3–1.