Fifa World Cup 2026: What you need to know about Uruguay

Get the lowdown onevery team at the 2026 World Cup. Here we take a closer look at inaugural World Cup winners Uruguay.

What can I expect from Uruguay?

Public spats and in-fighting were in the end the hallmarks of a qualification campaign which started so brightly for the Uruguayans.

Marcelo Bielsa's reign began with historic wins over Brazil and Argentina in 2023.

But a year later the head coach was rebuked by the retiring Luis Suarez. Uruguay's all-time top scorer criticised Bielsa for his behaviour and the 70-year-old recently admitted that he had been "toxic" towards his players.

Bielsa has battled on in the job but it remains to be seen which players, if any, still buy into his methods.

The Argentine never deviates from his footballing principles and will set up his side to attack and press from the front. As a result, they recorded 147 high turnovers during qualifying, 26 more than any other South American nation.

What are Uruguay's strengths?

The midfield trio of Federico Valverde, Manuel Ugarte and Rodrigo Bentancur provide a solid core.

The centre-back pair of Jose Maria Gimenez and Ronald Araujo are prone to the odd hiccup but add plenty of experience.

They are slightly more pragmatic than a typical Bielsa side, which may suit tournament football.

And what about their weaknesses?

Uruguay failed to score in eight of their final 12 qualifiers and their only goal this calendar year came from the penalty spot at Wembley in March.

The players appear divided and support for the head coach is not universal.

Marcelo Bielsa is hailed as one of the architects of modern football, but are his methods outdated?

How might Uruguay line up?

Which players should I look out for?

Maxi Araujo plays as a left-back for Portuguese side Sporting but he is employed as a left winger in this team. The 26-year-old pitched in with four assists during qualifying and only Colombia's James Rodríguez, with seven, provided more.

Real Madrid's swashbuckling allrounder Federico Valverde is integral to his country's chances of success. His Real team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold says he's "the most underrated player on the planet", but Uruguayans know all about their captain's star quality.

Former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez is unpredictable, unorthodox and often not very prolific, but the willing runner will attempt to provide Uruguay's main goal threat and is the only player to reach double figures during Bielsa's 34-game reign.

Who is Uruguay's head coach?

The legendary Marcelo Bielsa is set to take charge of a third different nation at a World Cup, but he nearly lost his job after a 5-1 defeat to the USA in November 2025.

Fans of Leeds United will know that the Argentine likes to watch matches by sitting on a cool box or upturned bucket and Uruguay announced his arrival by positing an image of the latter on social media.

How did Uruguay qualify?

Uruguay were steady but not spectacular in qualifying and they reached the World Cup after placing fourth in the South American table with 28 points from 18 games.

Where can I watch Uruguay?

All of Uruguay's matches will also be covered live on the BBC Sport website and app with updates, analysis, and fan reaction. Come and be part of it!

Give me a fact to impress my friends

This is the first Uruguay World Cup squad not to include a domestic-based player.

The previous 14 have all included at least one from the Uruguayan top flight.

Former Uruguay head coach Diego Alonso selected three Nacional players for the 2022 World Cup; Jose Luis Rodriguez, Sergio Rochet and a 35-year-old Luis Suarez.

Now give me some proper detail

The World Cup's first ever winners are experiencing a minor turbulent period in their long and illustrious history and the relationship between head coach and players looks fractious at best.

Marcelo Bielsa's tenure as Uruguay boss began with statement wins over Brazil and Argentina. But both of those victories occurred in 2023 and results have stagnated since.

Relationships have also soured and when Luis Suarez retired from the international stage in 2024 he launched a scathing attack on the head coach, saying that the group felt "divided" and more players were considering quitting.

Alarm bells rang louder still when Bielsa's side were beaten 5-1 in November by the USA, a team ironically led by his former protégé Mauricio Pochettino.

"I've received a lot of complaints about my behaviour," conceded the 70-year-old in an emergency press conference a few days later. "I am toxic."

Bielsa remained in post, in part due to a gritty 1-1 draw with England in March.

His squad selection for this World Cup was praised by some sections of the Uruguayan press and predictably, there was no place for the 39-year-old Suarez.

The ex-Liverpool forward stated that he would step out of international retirement if asked and while he is not the player he once was, his absence leaves La Celeste without a proven goalscorer.

How have Uruguay done at previous World Cups?

Winners of the inaugural World Cup in 1930 and champions again in 1950, Uruguay refused to travel to Europe in 1934 or 1938, so went 24 years unbeaten in the tournament until losing to Hungary in the semi-finals in 1954.

This is their 15th World Cup participation, and fifth in a row.