Forlán names first Uruguay preliminary squad, Barboza among nine Brazil-based picks | OneFootball

Diego Forlán has unveiled his first preliminary Uruguay squad, a 46-man list for the upcoming international window after the 2026 World Cup, featuring nine Brazil-based players including Palmeiras defender Alexander Barboza. According to Globo.com, the announcement came on Friday.

The Brazil-based contingent comprises defenders Puma Rodríguez of Vasco, Varela of Flamengo, Piquerez of Palmeiras and Barboza of Palmeiras. Midfielders Arrascaeta of Flamengo and Emiliano Martínez of Palmeiras are in, as are forwards Canobbio of Fluminense, Luciano Rodríguez of Cruzeiro and Villalba of Botafogo.

Forlán will lead Uruguay against Japan on 24 September, then South Korea on 28 September. They are set to face India on 6 October.

Veteran striker Luis Suárez, who did not play at the World Cup amid rumours of a possible return at 39, is not included. Barboza had been awaiting a first call, he was born in Argentina to an Argentinian mother and Uruguayan father and recently naturalised for Uruguay after contact from the federation in 2024.

Other notable names include Jaume of Albion, Juan Rodríguez of Cagliari, Bernal of Betis, Abaldo of Indepediente and Diego Rossi of Monterrey. Viña of River Plate and Nico de La Cruz of Flamengo are not in this preliminary list.

Source: Globo.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”