Uruguay: 2026 World Cup Squad, Fixtures and Schedule | OneFootball

Marcelo Bielsa leads Uruguay into the FIFA World Cup this summer in his first global tournament as La Celeste boss.

The Argentine coach took charge in 2023 and has rebuilt the side around a hardened defensive core and high-pressing football. Uruguay arrive ranked among the dark horses, with two World Cup titles already in their cabinet.

Bielsa announced his 26-man squad with a bold reset at its heart. Luis Suárez missed out, the 39-year-old all-time top scorer having signalled willingness to reverse his international retirement. He had not represented Uruguay for 20 months.

Uruguay: 2026 World Cup Squad, Fixtures and Schedule

Bielsa trusts Darwin Núñez to lead the line instead, despite the former Liverpool striker’s lack of recent club minutes. Núñez has not played for Al Hilal since February, after the Saudi club reshuffled their foreign-player registrations to accommodate Karim Benzema.

Manchester United’s Manuel Ugarte anchors the midfield, with Tottenham’s Rodrigo Bentancur alongside him. Wolves defender Santiago Bueno completes a trio of Premier League representatives. Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde, captain and creative heartbeat, drives the team from box to box.

The last World Cup triumph came back in 1950, and the semi-final run at South Africa 2010 remains Uruguay’s finest modern hour. A semi-final exit to Colombia at the 2024 Copa America still stings.

Ronald Araújo and José María Giménez form one of the world’s elite centre-back pairings, giving Bielsa rare defensive comfort. Group H pits Uruguay against Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde and Spain. The opener against the Saudis is a must-win. The European champions await on the final matchday in Guadalajara.

Uruguay 2026 World Cup fixtures

What time do Uruguay’s World Cup games kick off?

All kick-off times are BST.

Uruguay 2026 FIFA World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers: Sergio Rochet (Internacional), Fernando Muslera (Galatasaray), Santiago Mele (Junior FC).

Defenders: Guillermo Varela (Flamengo), Ronald Araujo (Barcelona), Jose Maria Gimenez (Atletico Madrid), Santiago Bueno (Wolves), Sebastian Caceres (Club America), Mathias Olivera (Napoli), Joaquin Piquerez (Palmeiras), Matias Vina (Flamengo).

Midfielders: Manuel Ugarte (Manchester United), Emiliano Martinez (Palmeiras), Rodrigo Bentancur (Tottenham), Federico Valverde (Real Madrid), Agustin Canobbio (Fluminense), Juan Manuel Sanabria (Atletico San Luis), Giorgian de Arrascaeta (Flamengo), Nicolas de la Cruz (Flamengo), Rodrigo Zalazar (SC Braga), Facundo Pellistri (Panathinaikos), Maximiliano Araujo (Sporting CP), Brian Rodriguez (Club America).

Forwards: Rodrigo Aguirre (Club America), Federico Vinas (Real Oviedo), Darwin Nunez (Al Hilal).

Read more – Full 2026 FIFA World Cup fixture schedule and kick-off times

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