Uruguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Uruguay finished fourth in CONMEBOL qualifying with 28 points from 18 matches, scoring 22 goals and conceding 12. They were one of six sides to qualify directly, alongside Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Paraguay. Bolivia finished seventh and went to the intercontinental playoff.

The campaign was uneven in texture. Uruguay were excellent early: losing just one of their opening six matches, which included impressive wins against both Brazil and Argentina. But they dropped points in nine of their final 12 games before a decisive 3 to 0 home win over Peru in the penultimate round confirmed their place in North America. Darwin Núñez finished as the squad's top scorer in qualifying with five goals. Maximiliano Araújo led the team in assists with four.

Bielsa took charge in May 2023 following Uruguay's elimination at the Qatar 2022 group stage, which remains the lowest point in recent Uruguayan football. The turnaround under him was real: at Copa América 2024, Uruguay won all three group games, beat Brazil on penalties in the quarterfinals and finished third after defeating Canada on penalties in the bronze medal match. But reports from inside that tournament describe a squad pushed to its limits by Bielsa's methods, with the half-time scene involving Darwin Núñez now public knowledge after Suárez himself described it.

In goal, Fernando Muslera leads a three-man group that also includes Sergio Rochet and Santiago Mele. At 38, Muslera is still the first choice, one of the more experienced goalkeepers at the tournament. His reading of the game has kept him competitive even after leaving Galatasaray and returning to South America with Estudiantes de La Plata.

The defensive unit is built around two world-class centre-backs in Ronald Araújo and José María Giménez, both of whom have spent the past 18 months managing injury disruption. When they are both available and fit, Uruguay have a defensive core that competes with anyone. Santiago Bueno at Wolverhampton Wanderers provides dependable cover, while the fullback positions feature Mathías Olivera at Napoli on the left and Guillermo Varela at Flamengo on the right. Matías Viña adds further cover after returning to River Plate.

The midfield is where Uruguay are richest. Federico Valverde at the heart of everything, Manuel Ugarte alongside him with a point to prove, and Rodrigo Bentancur providing the tournament-hardened experience after winning the Europa League. Giorgian De Arrascaeta and Nicolás De La Cruz from Flamengo bring creative threat from deeper positions, while Maximiliano Araújo and Rodrigo Zalazar, both at Sporting CP, add energy and pace on the flanks. Facundo Pellistri at Panathinaikos is the wild card with the ability to hurt teams in transition.

Up front, the squad is thin but focused. Darwin Núñez carries the burden of the number nine role despite his turbulent club situation. Federico Viñas at Real Oviedo in the Spanish second tier provides depth, while Rodrigo Aguirre at Tigres completes the attacking options. This is not a squad flush with forward depth, which means Núñez needs to be at something close to his best for Uruguay to threaten in the knockout rounds. The most prominent absentee is Luis Suárez, cut by Bielsa despite the veteran scoring regularly for Inter Miami in MLS. Suárez had publicly criticised Bielsa's methods after retiring from international football in 2024. The omission was expected but it still closes the door formally on one of Uruguay's greatest modern careers.