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Bielsa names Uruguay World Cup squad
Federico Valverde is the headline name included in La Celeste's World Cup selection as they prepare to battle it out in Group H.
Uruguay's head coach Argentine Marcelo Bielsa watches from the sidelines the international friendly football match between USA and Uruguay at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on November 18, 2025. (Photo by Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo / AFP) (Photo by MIGUEL J. RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO/AFP via Getty Images)
Marcelo Bielsa has announced his Uruguay squad ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
Celeste icons Jose Maria Gimenez, Fernando Muslera and Federico Valverde have all been included in Bielsa's 26-man selection. Giorgian de Arrascaeta, who had been a doubt following a broken collarbone suffered last month, has been included alongside Flamengo team-mates Nicolas de la Cruz and Guillermo Varela.
The nation's all-time top scorer Luis Suarez said in March he "would never say 'no'" to a Uruguay return after retiring from Celeste action in September 2024, but was not called up by Bielsa. World Cup 2026 will mark the first time a Uruguay squad hasn't included Suarez since Korea/Japan 2002.
Uruguay's FIFA World Cup 2026™ squad
Goalkeepers
Santiago Mele Fernando Muslera Sergio Rochet
Defenders
Ronald Araujo Santiago Bueno Sebastian Caceres Jose Maria Gimenez Mathias Olivera Joaquin Piquerez Guillermo Varela Matias Vina
Midfielders
Maximiliano Araujo Giorgian de Arrascaeta Rodrigo Bentancur Agustin Canobbio Nicolas de la Cruz Emiliano Martinez Facundo Pellistri Brian Rodriguez Juan Manuel Sanabria Manuel Ugarte Federico Valverde Rodrigo Zalazar
Forwards
Rodrigo Aguirre Federico Vinas Darwin Nunez
All squads are provisional until the final list of 26 players is announced by FIFA, following their submission by participating teams, on 2 June.
Uruguay’s World Cup 2026 fixtures and group
15 June: Saudi Arabia v Uruguay - Miami Stadium
21 June: Uruguay v Cabo Verde - Miami Stadium
26 June: Uruguay v Spain- Estadio Guadalajara