Darwin Núñez at risk of missing Bielsa’s 2026 World Cup squad after Al Hilal omission | OneFootball

Darwin Núñez is at risk of missing Marcelo Bielsa’s 2026 World Cup squad after being left off Al Hilal’s Saudi league list. According to Glorioso 1904, Karim Benzema’s arrival at the club had direct consequences, with Núñez excluded for the domestic campaign.

Al Hilal submitted their final registration for the remainder of the season to the Saudi Arabian Football Federation’s Professionalism and Players’ Status Committee, and Núñez’s name was not included.

With the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada drawing near, his game time looks limited to the Asian Champions League. That has raised concern within Uruguay’s set-up and for Bielsa, since a shortage of regular minutes could affect his preparation.

Núñez joined from Liverpool in the last summer window for 53 million euros, and the second half of his campaign will be marked by reduced involvement. He was close to leaving in the most recent window, but the move did not materialise.

Valued at 35 million euros, he has made 23 appearances this season for Al Hilal, 16 in the Saudi league, five in the Asian Champions League and two in the Saudi King’s Cup. Across 1,577 minutes, he has seven goals and five assists.

Source: Glorioso 1904