The Uruguay World Cup 2026 squad is coming together.
With World Cup 2026 fast approaching now, Uruguay might have one of the most underrated squads at the tournament and a manager who's certainly been there before.
Marcelo Bielsa has led Chile and Argentina in the past, and though they're not one of the favourites for the tournament in North America, they could well spring a few shocks – despite missing experience this time around.
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 major stars of yesteryear.
Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez have led the Uruguayans for years, but it looks as if neither striker will be in North America next summer.
Instead, it's up to Darwin Nunez, now playing in Saudi Arabia, while Federico Valverde and Manuel Ugarte are both likely to start in midfield.
Bielsa will be hoping to record his best finish at a World Cup as manager, when he reached the round of 16 with Chile in 2010.
Squad
Uruguay World Cup 2026 squad: The November selection
- GK: Santiago Mele (Monterrey)
- GK: Cristopher Fiermarin (Deportes Tolima)
- DF: Jose Maria Gimenez (Atletico Madrid)
- DF: Matias Vina (Flamengo)
- DF: Mathias Olivera (Napoli)
- DF: Guillermo Varela (Flamengo)
- DF: Ronald Araujo (Barcelona)
- DF: Sebastian Caceres (America)
- DF: Joaquin Piquerez (Palmeiras)
- DF: Santiago Bueno (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
- DF: Jose Luis Rodriguez (Vasco da Gama)
- MF: Rodrigo Bentancur (Tottenham Hotspur)
- MF: Nahitan Nandez (Al-Qadsiah)
- MF: Giorgian de Arrascaeta (Flamengo)
- MF: Manuel Ugarte (Manchester United)
- MF: Maximiliano Araujo (Sporting CP)
- MF: Rodrigo Zalazar (Braga)
- MF: Emiliano Martinez (Palmeiras)
- MF: Juan Manuel Sanabria (Atletico San Luis)
- MF: Santiago Homenchenko (Queretaro)
- FW: Facundo Pellistri (Panathinaikos)
- FW: Brian Rodriguez (America)
- FW: Facundo Torres (Palmeiras)
- FW: Federico Vinas (Oviedo)
- FW: Rodrigo Aguirre (America)
- FW: Luciano Rodriguez (Neom)
- FW: Ignacio Laquintana (Red Bull Bragantino)
Fixtures and results
November 18: United States 5-1 Uruguay, Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, United States
November 15: Mexico vs Uruguay, Estadio Corona, Torreón, Mexico
October 13: Uzbekistan 2-1 Uruguay, Hang Jebat Stadium, Malacca, Malaysia
October 10: Uruguay 1-0 Dominican Republic, Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
September 9: Chile 0-0 Uruguay, Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos, Santiago, Chile
September 4: Uruguay 3-0 Peru, Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay
June 10: Uruguay 2-0 Venezuela, Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay
June 5: Paraguay 2-0 Uruguay, Estadio Defensores del Chaco, Asuncion
March 25: Bolivia 0-0 Uruguay, El Alto Municipal Stadium, El Ato, Bolivia
March 21: Uruguay 0-1 Argentina, Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay
Manager
Who is the Uruguay manger?
Marcelo Bielsa is one of football's most influential coaches. He's ranked at no.77 in FourFourTwo's list of the greatest managers ever and has had stints across different South American nations, as well as Leeds, 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. Pep Guardiola called him the "best manager in the world" in 2012.
In 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 has won everything there is to win at club level, He is now the vice-captain of Real Madrid, stepping in when Dani Carvajal is not available.
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. he often plays at right-back for Real Madrid and his relentless engine makes him a managers 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.
Best XI
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