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.
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
Recent Results
- March 31, 2026: Algeria 0-0 Uruguay , Allianz Stadium, Turin, Italy
- March 27, 2026: England 1-1 Uruguay , Wembley Stadium, London, England
- November 18, 2025: United States 5-1 Uruguay , Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, United States
- November 15, 2025: Mexico vs Uruguay , Estadio Corona, Torreón, Mexico
- October 13, 2025: Uzbekistan 2-1 Uruguay , Hang Jebat Stadium, Malacca, Malaysia
- October 10, 2025: Uruguay 1-0 Dominican Republic , Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- September 9, 2025: Chile 0-0 Uruguay , Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos, Santiago, Chile
- September 4, 2025: Uruguay 3-0 Peru , Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay
- June 10, 2025: Uruguay 2-0 Venezuela , Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay
- June 5, 2025: Paraguay 2-0 Uruguay , Estadio Defensores del Chaco, Asuncion
- March 25, 2025: Bolivia 0-0 Uruguay , El Alto Municipal Stadium, El Ato, Bolivia
- March 21, 2025: Uruguay 0-1 Argentina , Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay
Manager
Who is the Uruguay manger?
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, 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.
