Eliminated in the group stage at the 2022 edition, Marcelo Bielsa’s side will be determined for a prolonged run in North America.
For a nation with long-standing tournament heritage, Uruguay have not yet been able to return to their glory days at the FIFA men’s World Cup.
The South Americans won the first edition in 1930 as back-to-back Olympic football champions, but since their 1950 world title, they have fallen thrice at the semi-final stage.
Marcelo Bielsa will lead them to North America, having coached his native Argentina to the Olympic gold at Athens 2004.
La Celeste have been drawn into Group J with European champions Spain, tournament debutants Cabo Verde and three-time Asian Cup winners Saudi Arabia.
Quick facts
- Captain: José María Giménez
- Manager: Marcelo Bielsa
- World Cup appearances (including 2026): 15
- Best World Cup result: Winners (1930, 1950)
FIFA World Cup 2026 – Uruguay’s full squad
Goalkeepers: Sergio Rochet (Internacional), Fernando Muslera (Estudiantes), Santiago Mele (Monterrey)
Defenders: Guillermo Varela (Flamengo), Ronald Araujo (Barcelona), José María Giménez (Atlético de Madrid), Santiago Bueno (Wolves), Sebastián Cáceres (CF América), Mathías Olivera (Napoli), Joaquín Piquerez (Palmeiras), Matías Viña (River Plate)
Midfielders: Manuel Ugarte (Manchester United), Emiliano Martínez (Palmeiras), Rodrigo Bentancur (Tottenham Hotspur), Federico Valverde (Real Madrid), Agustín Canobbio (Fluminense), Juan Manuel Sanabria (Real Salt Lake City), Giorgan de Arrascaeta (Flamengo), Nicolás de la Cruz (Flamengo), Rodrigo Zalazar (Braga), Facundo Pellistri (Panathinaikos), Maximiliano Araújo (Sporting), Brian Rodríguez (CF América)
Forwards: Rodrigo Aguirre (Tigres), Federico Viñas (Real Oviedo), Darwin Núñez (Al-Hilal)