Marcelo Bielsa named the Uruguay World Cup Squad 2026 on May 31, 2026, and two stories cut through the noise. Luis Suárez was left out, missing a World Cup for the first time since South Africa 2010. Fernando Muslera came back from international retirement at 39 to chase a fifth World Cup. José María Giménez captains the side.
Bielsa selected 12 midfielders and just three forwards, building around pressing, width and vertical transitions rather than a traditional strike partnership. Three Premier League players made the cut: Manuel Ugarte (Manchester United), Rodrigo Bentancur (Tottenham Hotspur) and Santiago Bueno (Wolverhampton Wanderers). Uruguay enter ranked 17th in the world and head into Group H for their 15th FIFA World Cup. Darwin Núñez topped La Celeste’s CONMEBOL qualifying scorer chart with five goals.
Here is your full Uruguay squad list, schedule, and key player breakdown for the 2026 tournament.
Uruguay 26-Player Squad for World Cup 2026
| Position | Player | Club | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Sergio Rochet | Internacional | 33 |
| GK | Fernando Muslera | Estudiantes | 39 |
| GK | Santiago Mele | Monterrey | 28 |
| DF | Guillermo Varela | Flamengo | 33 |
| DF | Ronald Araújo | Barcelona | 27 |
| DF | José María Giménez (C) | Atlético Madrid | 31 |
| DF | Santiago Bueno | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 27 |
| DF | Sebastián Cáceres | Club América | 26 |
| DF | Mathías Olivera | Napoli | 28 |
| DF | Matías Viña | River Plate | 28 |
| DF | Joaquín Piquerez | Palmeiras | 27 |
| MF | Manuel Ugarte | Manchester United | 24 |
| MF | Emiliano Martínez | Palmeiras | 26 |
| MF | Rodrigo Bentancur | Tottenham Hotspur | 28 |
| MF | Federico Valverde | Real Madrid | 27 |
| MF | Agustín Canobbio | Fluminense | 26 |
| MF | Juan Manuel Sanabria | Real Salt Lake | 26 |
| MF | Giorgian de Arrascaeta | Flamengo | 32 |
| MF | Nicolás de la Cruz | Flamengo | 29 |
| MF | Rodrigo Zalazar | Braga | 26 |
| MF | Facundo Pellistri | Panathinaikos | 24 |
| MF | Maximiliano Araújo | Sporting CP | 26 |
| MF | Brian Rodríguez | Club América | 25 |
| FW | Rodrigo Aguirre | Tigres UANL | 31 |
| FW | Federico Viñas | Real Oviedo | 27 |
| FW | Darwin Núñez | Al-Hilal | 26 |
(C) = captain. Ages correct as of June 11, 2026. Squad confirmed by Marcelo Bielsa on May 31, 2026.
For the 48-team roster list, see our World Cup 2026 squads hub.
Quick Stats
Key numbers behind Bielsa’s 26-man selection.
- Average age: 28.1 years
- Most-capped player: Fernando Muslera (134 caps)
- Oldest player: Fernando Muslera (39)
- Premier League players: 3 (Ugarte, Bentancur, Bueno)
- Brazilian Série A players: 7 (Rochet, Varela, E. Martínez, de Arrascaeta, de la Cruz, Piquerez, Canobbio)
- Liga MX players: 4 (Mele, Cáceres, Aguirre, B. Rodríguez)
- MLS players: 1 (Sanabria)
- Top qualifying scorer: Darwin Núñez (5 goals in CONMEBOL)
Key Players to Watch
Federico Valverde | Real Madrid
Valverde at 27 is the heartbeat of this Uruguay side and one of the most complete midfielders in world football. He won multiple Champions League titles at Real Madrid and reached the Ballon d’Or top five. His box-to-box engine, pressing intensity and late runs into the box make him uniquely dangerous. Bielsa built this midfield around him.
José María Giménez (C) | Atlético Madrid
Giménez captains Uruguay into his fourth World Cup at 31, carrying 99 caps of experience. He reads the game early, covers behind Araújo and sets the defensive tone from the first whistle. Keeping him fit and sharp is essential for any deep run.
Darwin Núñez | Al-Hilal
Núñez moved from Liverpool to Al-Hilal in 2025 but his international output has not slowed. He topped Uruguay’s CONMEBOL qualifying scorer chart with five goals in 18 matches. At 26, he is in the prime of his physical development. His pace, power and finishing under pressure give Bielsa a genuine threat in behind. Darwin rarely needs many chances to score.
Manuel Ugarte | Manchester United
Ugarte at 24 is already one of the best defensive midfielders in European football. He moved from Paris Saint-Germain to Manchester United in 2024 and immediately became a regular starter. His role for Uruguay is clear: protect the back line and give Valverde the freedom to attack. The Ugarte-Valverde double pivot is the engine Bielsa trusts most.
Ronald Araújo | Barcelona
Araújo at 27 is Uruguay’s most aggressive ball-playing centre-back. He scored the opener in the 2-0 win over Argentina at La Bombonera in November 2023, a goal that defined his international reputation. Fast, strong in the air and comfortable stepping out from deep, Araújo gives Uruguay a complete ball-playing defender. His partnership with Giménez gives Uruguay a physically dominant central defence.
Uruguay World Cup 2026 Schedule
Uruguay play their first two group stage matches in Miami before the decisive clash in Mexico. Kick-off times are in both Eastern Time (ET) and Uruguay Time (UYT) for fans back home.
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Kickoff (ET) | Kickoff (UYT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 15, 2026 | Saudi Arabia | Miami Stadium (Hard Rock Stadium), Miami | 6:00 PM | 7:00 PM |
| Jun 21, 2026 | Cape Verde | Miami Stadium (Hard Rock Stadium), Miami | 6:00 PM | 7:00 PM |
| Jun 26, 2026 | Spain | Guadalajara Stadium (Estadio Akron), Guadalajara | 8:00 PM | 9:00 PM |
All kick-off times follow the official FIFA match schedule, confirmed from the December 5, 2025 group draw. Uruguay open against Saudi Arabia in Miami before facing Cape Verde at the same venue. June 26 in Guadalajara against Spain shapes up as the decisive group match. See the full 2026 World Cup schedule for all knockout fixtures.
How Uruguay Qualified for World Cup 2026
Uruguay came through CONMEBOL qualifying in fourth place with 28 points from seven wins, seven draws and four defeats across 18 matches.
Bielsa’s two standout results came back-to-back in late 2023. On October 18, Uruguay beat Brazil 2-0 at the Estadio Centenario, Darwin Núñez and Nicolás de la Cruz getting the goals. Then on November 16 they went to La Bombonera and beat Argentina 2-0 in Buenos Aires, Ronald Araújo and Núñez scoring against the defending world champions.
The campaign wasn’t without turbulence. Paraguay beat them 2-0, Argentina took revenge 1-0 at the Centenario in March 2025, and a 5-1 friendly defeat to the USA in November 2025 raised questions heading into the final rounds.
Darwin Núñez’s five qualifying goals included a brace in a 3-0 home win over Peru on September 4, 2025, which sealed fourth place. The campaign closed with a 0-0 draw in Santiago on September 9. Fourth in South America is a genuine achievement in a ten-team group that spares nobody.
Head Coach: Marcelo Bielsa
Marcelo Bielsa took charge of Uruguay in 2023 after Diego Alonso lost his job. The Argentine, born in Rosario in 1955, is one of football’s most influential coaches. He managed Argentina and Chile internationally and spent celebrated years at Athletic Bilbao, Marseille and Leeds United.
This is Bielsa’s first World Cup as Uruguay manager. He has taken sides to World Cups before, reaching the Round of 16 with Chile in 2010. He transformed La Celeste quickly: high-pressing, wide coverage, vertical transitions. If Valverde, Ugarte and de Arrascaeta all fire together, the system can overwhelm any group-stage opponent.
Group H at a Glance
Uruguay are in Group H alongside Spain, Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde. Here is where each team stands heading into the tournament.
| Team | FIFA Ranking | World Cup Appearances | Best Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | 2nd | 16 (1934-2022) | Champions (2010) |
| Uruguay | 17th | 14 (1930-2022) | Champions (1930, 1950) |
| Saudi Arabia | 60th | 6 (1994-2022) | Round of 16 (1994) |
| Cape Verde | 68th | Debut | Debut |
Spain’s ranking is from the official April 1, 2026 FIFA update. Uruguay’s ranking is from the April 1, 2026 update. Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde rankings are from the November 2025 FIFA update. World Cup appearances are pre-2026 figures.
Spain are clear favourites at second in the world. Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde give Uruguay a realistic shot at finishing first or second in the group. The June 26 Guadalajara clash with Spain is the key fixture. Spain are unbeaten in all ten meetings with Uruguay, most recently 2-1 at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup. La Celeste will want to go into that match already qualified. Explore the full picture at the 2026 World Cup groups hub.
FAQ About Uruguay World Cup Squad 2026
What is Uruguay’s FIFA ranking going into the 2026 World Cup?
Uruguay are ranked 17th in the world as of the April 1, 2026 official FIFA update. They held a consistent top-20 position throughout the qualification cycle and head into the tournament as one of South America’s four automatic qualifiers.
What is Uruguay’s nickname?
Uruguay’s national team is known as La Celeste, meaning “The Sky Blue,” a direct reference to the light-blue shirts the team has worn since the early 1900s, making it one of the most recognisable kits in South American football.
Who is Uruguay’s all-time top scorer, and is he in the squad?
Luis Suárez holds the record with 69 international goals and is not in the squad. Bielsa left him out entirely, making 2026 the first World Cup since South Africa 2010 in which Suárez won’t feature. Darwin Núñez leads the attack in his absence.
What style does Uruguay play under Marcelo Bielsa?
Bielsa uses a high-pressing system with wide runners and a compact midfield that shifts shape by possession phase. Uruguay press in tight blocks, transition vertically and rely on physical dominance across all lines to disrupt opponents’ build-up early.
What channel shows Uruguay matches in the US?
Uruguay’s group stage matches are broadcast on Fox Sports in English in the United States. Telemundo carries Spanish-language coverage, with streaming available on Peacock. Fox and Telemundo hold the full US broadcast rights for the 2026 tournament.
Uruguay’s World Cup 2026 Hopes
The Uruguay World Cup Squad 2026 blends established European club talent with a Brazilian-league spine and a coach who demands everything from every player. This is not the ageing Suárez-Cavani era. Bielsa’s side is fresher, more athletic and more tactically disciplined. If Valverde runs the game, Ugarte controls the tempo and Núñez converts his chances, Uruguay can beat anyone in this bracket.
A quarter-final is a realistic target. La Celeste won’t fear the group stage. The real test is June 26 in Guadalajara: Uruguay haven’t beaten Spain in ten attempts, but tournament football has a way of levelling things. This squad has the character to change that. Don’t write them off.
