Uruguay World Cup 2026: Bielsa’s boys target deep run

Despite picking up four points, Uruguay were knocked out at the group stage of the 2022 World Cup, but now Marcelo Bielsa is in charge, and they will be looking to make a deep run in North America. 

They are in Group H along with Spain, Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde, so they will be fancied to make it to the knockouts this time around. Below you can find my Uruguay World Cup 2026 preview as I assess their chances.

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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).

Let’s first talk about the headline news, which is the fact that Uruguayan icon and World Cup regular Luis Suarez has been left out of this 26-man squad. He’s scored six goals in 11 in Major League Soccer this season, but is now 39 and Bielsa has decided to go in a different direction.

Former Liverpool man Darwin Nunez is included along with Federico Vinas and Rodrigo Aguirre as striking options, while Manuel Ugarte, Rodrigo Bentancur and Federico Valverde are the key midfielders in this squad. The Real Madrid man is arguably now the star of this side, with Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo joined by Atletico’s Jose Maria Gimenez in defence.

Sergio Rochet may be given the nod in goal having featured regularly in qualifying ahead of the experienced 39-year-old Fernando Muslera, who started the 1-1 friendly draw with England in March. 

Qualifying was relatively comfortable for Uruguay, given six teams out of 10 from South America made it to the World Cup automatically. They were one of the four teams that finished on 28 points, finishing fourth ahead of Brazil and Paraguay on goal difference. 

The most notable win of that campaign was a 2-0 away success against world champions Argentina, proving that they can beat some of the best teams in the world. That’s a strength heading into a group that contains World Cup favourites Spain, but La Celeste will be fancied to beat the other two nations in their group, Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde. 

They won the first World Cup in 1930 and then triumphed again in 1950, reaching three semi-finals since then; can they make the final four again in North America?

World Cup Odds

Group H Fixtures:

15 June 6pm local (11pm BST) - vs Saudi Arabia (Miami)

21 June 6pm local (11pm BST) - vs Cape Verde (Miami)

26 June 6pm local (27 June 1am BST) - vs Spain (Zapopan)

Key Player: Federico Valverde

Real Madrid’s vice-captain may have been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons after his spat with teammate Aurelien Tchouameni this season, but he remains one of the best midfielders in the world. He’s now 27, in his peak and the leader and captain of his national side.

His energy is remarkable and he should flourish in the North American heat, backed by a sizable travelling support. With Bentancur and Ugarte supporting him in midfield, it feels like a great midfield that can compete with most others at this World Cup. Valverde is the star though, and he may have to take on more attacking responsibilities if La Celeste are to go far. 

Football Odds

Prediction: Last 32

I think Uruguay are almost nailed on to finish second in this group. They should beat Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde and they are likely to lose to Spain. Unfortunately for Uruguay, if they do finish second, they are most likely to face the winner of Group J, which is probably going to be Argentina. 

Even though they beat them away in qualifying, they lost at home. This would be a fascinating clash between Bielsa and his homeland, the nation he managed between 1998 and 2004. However, I do have to side with Argentina to win this one just, despite the fact I think they will not go that deep into the competition.