Uruguay World Cup 2026 squad: Marcelo Bielsa's latest selection

Giorgian de Arrascaeta of Uruguay could be a key player for his side at this World Cup (Image credit: Getty Images)

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The Uruguay World Cup 2026 squad has been announced, ahead of the two-time champion nation's trip to North America this summer.

With World Cup 2026 fast approaching now, Uruguay have one of the more underrated squads at the tournament, and a manager with bags of experience.

Marcelo Bielsa has led both Chile and Argentina in the past, and, though they're not one of the favourites for the tournament in North America, they're well-positioned to spring shocks under his guidance.

This is a transitional time for the two-time world champions – four if you count the Olympic Games (which Uruguay do, with the four stars on their shirt) – who will be without their icons of yesteryear.

Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez have led the Uruguayan front-line for years, however, neither striker will be present in North America this summer.

Instead, it's up to Darwin Nunez, now playing in Saudi Arabia after an underwhelming three years at Liverpool, while Real Madrid veteran Federico Valverde and Manchester United man Manuel Ugarte are both likely to start in midfield.

Bielsa will be hoping to record his best finish at a World Cup as manager, previously reaching the Round of 16 with Chile in 2010.

Mood

In qualifying for a fifth consecutive World Cup, Uruguay broke new ground, even including their 1930 and 1950 tournament-winning pomp, but all is not rosy. The immediate impact of Marcelo Bielsa’s May 2023 arrival peaked with consecutive 2-0 victories at home to Brazil and in Argentina, but qualification turned traumatic as El Loco’s controversial management of iconic veterans since the 2024 Copa America created internal tensions. Now-retired Luis Suarez, unsurprisingly, was the most critical.

El Loco has introduced salt to open wounds, too. “I am toxic,” he said after a 5-1 defeat by the USA last November. “If the players want me out, it’s very simple. They come, tell me, ‘look, Bielsa, we want you to leave’, that’s it.”

Squad

Uruguay World Cup 2026 squad: The final selection

GK: Sergio Rochet (Internacional)
GK: Santiago Mele (Monterrey)
GK: Fernando Muslera (Estudiantes)
DF: Ronald Araujo (Barcelona)
DF: Jose Maria Gimenez (Atlético Madrid)
DF: Santiago Bueno (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
DF: Sebastian Caceres (America)
DF: Mathias Olivera (Napoli)
DF: Guillermo Varela (Flamengo)
DF: Matias Vina (River Plate)
DF: Joaquin Piquerez (Palmeiras)
DF: Juan Manuel Sanabria (Real Salt Lake)
MF: Federico Valverde (Real Madrid)
MF: Rodrigo Bentancur (Tottenham Hotspur)
MF: Manuel Ugarte (Manchester United)
MF: Emiliano Martinez (Palmeiras)
MF: Rodrigo Zalazar (Sporting CP)
MF: Giorgian De Arrascaeta (Flamengo)
MF: Nicolas De La Cruz (Flamengo)
MF: Agustin Canobbio (Fluminense)
MF: Maximiliano Araujo (Sporting CP)
MF: Brian Rodriguez (America)
MF: Facundo Pellistri (Panathinaikos)
FW: Darwin Nunez (Al Hilal)
FW: Federico Vinas (Real Oviedo)
FW: Rodrigo Aguirre (Tigres)

Fixtures

June 15, 2026: Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, United States
June 20, 2026: Uruguay vs Cape Verde, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, United States
June 26, 2026: Uruguay vs Spain, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, United States

Manager

Who is the Uruguay manger?

Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa crouching on the sidelines. — Marcelo Bielsa likes to take the game in from a an unusual angle. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Marcelo Bielsa, ranked at no.77 in FourFourTwo's list of the greatest managers ever, is one of football's most influential coaches, with stints across different South American nations, as well as Leeds United, Athletic Bilbao and Marseille.

He popularised a 3-3-3-1 formation that relied on high pressing, quick passing play and worked to great effect, causing Pep Guardiola to label him as the "best manager in the world" in 2012.

During the World Cup qualifying, he ended winless streaks against Brazil and Argentina, quickly establishing his philosophies on his Uruguayan squad.

Star Player

Who is Uruguay's star player?

Federico Valverde of Uruguay looks on during the international friendly match between Uruguay and Ivory Coast. — Federico Valverde will need to inspire his nation this summer. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Federico Valverde, now the vice-captain of Real Madrid and often filling in for Dani Carvajal when he is unavailable, has won everything there is to win at club level.

Ranked at no.4 in FourFourTwo's list of the best central midfielders in the world right now, one of his biggest strengths is his versatility, often playing at right-back for Real Madrid with a relentless engine in tow that makes him any manager's dream.

For Uruguay to end an almost 80-year spell without a World Cup, he will need to be at the top of his game.

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Award-winning Argentinian football writer and professor of journalism. From El Gráfico to La Gazzetta dello Sport, BBC Sport, 11Freunde and The Players’ Tribune, his work has been published in more than 25 countries and translated into 20 languages. He fell in love with FourFourTwo at the end of the last century, on his first visit to Britain, and has been a correspondent since 2000. He has covered four World Cups and one Olympic Games. A devoted follower of European football, he still dreams of attending a Champions League final and visiting Anfield. Director of the AIPS Sport Media Awards, the leading international prize in sports journalism, he is also a very good player... on Football Manager