Despite the nation’s modest size, La Celeste are so often a competitive side at big tournaments. It may be a challenge for the new coach to oversee a side who have all been under the stewardship of Tabarez throughout their international careers but that shouldn’t be an issue. There is a wealth of experience among the squad, with seasoned professionals who have gone through the highs and lows in World Cups. There is also an abundance of talent in both young and old, from Ronald Araujo and Fede Valverde, to Diego Godin, Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani. With all this combined, a quarter final position should be their aim.
Heading to their 14th World Cup tournament in the nation’s history, Uruguay are once again a World Cup dark horse. It’s what you’d expect of a country that has won the tournament in the past — La Celeste were champions in two of the first four World Cups held — and made a semifinal run in 2010.
But what matters most in Qatar is the talent that will be on the field. Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani and Diego Godin are well into their late 30s but will be hoping for one last magical run. This could also turn into the tournament in which the next generation of stars takes over.
Federico Valverde, who has recently been called the third-best player in the world, and Liverpool scoring sensation Darwin Nunez are ready for the World Cup stage, alongside FC Barcelona defensive force Ronald Araujo, if he can recover from injury in time. Bright MLS forward Facundo Torres could have a breakout tournament amid rumors of European interest.
La Celeste always seem to find a way, including during the recent World Cup qualifiers when things were looking dire and legendary manager Oscar Washington Tabarez was sacked. They made it in the end, and they’re one of the favorites to advance from Group H in Qatar. And if Uruguay and their characteristic fight and grit — known as the Garra Charrua — get into the knockouts, anything can happen.
Uruguay 26-man World Cup squad 2022
Injury doubts Ronald Araujo and Edinson Cavani both recover in time, while Facundo Torres, who plays with MLS side Orlando City, is selected to the list.
There was no room in midfield for Felipe Carballo despite his excellent play domestically for Nacional, while Espanyol captain Leandro Cabrera falls short of securing his first international cap.
Here’s a look at the final 26-man roster for Uruguay at the 2022 FIFA World Cup:
| Position | No. | Player | Club | Age | Caps |
| GK | 1 | Fernando Muslera | Galatasaray (TUR) | 36 | 133 |
| GK | 23 | Sergio Rochet | Nacional (URU) | 29 | 8 |
| GK | 12 | Sebastian Sosa | Independiente (ARG) | 36 | 1 |
| DEF | 4 | Ronald Araujo | Barcelona (ESP) | 23 | 12 |
| DEF | 22 | Martin Caceres | LA Galaxy (USA) | 35 | 115 |
| DEF | 19 | Sebastian Coates | Sporting CP (POR) | 32 | 47 |
| DEF | 2 | Jose Maria Gimenez | Atletico Madrid (ESP) | 27 | 78 |
| DEF | 3 | Diego Godin | Velez Sarsfield (ARG) | 36 | 159 |
| DEF | 16 | Mathias Olivera | Napoli (ITA) | 24 | 8 |
| DEF | 26 | Jose Luis Rodriguez | Nacional (URU) | 25 | 9 |
| DEF | 13 | Guillermo Varela | Flamengo (BRA) | 29 | 9 |
| DEF | 17 | Matias Vina | AS Roma (ITA) | 24 | 26 |
| MID | 6 | Rodrigo Bentancur | Tottenham (ENG) | 25 | 51 |
| MID | 7 | Nicolas De La Cruz | River Plate (ARG) | 25 | 17 |
| MID | 14 | Lucas Torreira | Galatasaray (TUR) | 26 | 40 |
| MID | 25 | Manuel Ugarte | Sporting CP (POR) | 21 | 6 |
| MID | 15 | Federico Valverde | Real Madrid (ESP) | 24 | 44 |
| MID | 5 | Matias Vecino | Lazio (ITA) | 31 | 62 |
| MID | 10 | Giorgian De Arrascaeta | Flamengo (BRA) | 28 | 40 |
| MID | 24 | Agustin Canobbio | Athletico Paranaense (BRA) | 24 | 3 |
| FWD | 8 | Facundo Pellistri | Manchester United (ENG) | 20 | 7 |
| FWD | 21 | Edinson Cavani | Valencia (ESP) | 35 | 133 |
| FWD | 18 | Maxi Gomez | Trabzonspor (TUR) | 26 | 27 |
| FWD | 11 | Darwin Nunez | Liverpool (ENG) | 23 | 13 |
| FWD | 9 | Luis Suarez | Nacional (URU) | 35 | 134 |
| FWD | 20 | Facundo Torres | Orlando City (USA) | 22 | 10 |
Uruguay national team stars, strengths & weaknesses
Uruguayan players have consistently proven to possess the ideal mix of skill, fight, physicality and tactical nous, making them one of the most competitive sides in world football despite a relatively smaller population of nearly 3.5 million. It’s the reason why the country’s players are some of the most sought-after talents in the world.
It’s those qualities that will once again make them a difficult out in Qatar.
Stars
While it’s tempting to go back to the well and cite the bigger names of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, the truth is that the heartbeat of this team is a 24-year-old who plays for Real Madrid.
Federico Valverde is having himself a sensational season in 2022/23, and that’s after finishing strong in 2021/22 with the game-winning assist in the Champions League final. He is a player who has shown he can leave a mark on a match and carry his team in big moments.
It’s scary to think what Valverde might be able to accomplish with more games playing behind Liverpool 23-year-old striker Darwin Nunez, who can find goals out of nothing.
When fit, Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo (below) is a similar unstoppable force on the field. He’s a strong one-on-one defender and even stronger in the air when attacking and defending. But he underwent groin surgery in September and is in a race against time to be fit again.
Strengths
Team defense — In nine international matches under Alonso, Uruguay have only conceded two goals, one each to Venezuela and Iran.
The defending starts from the front and it’s supported by a tenacious central midfield featuring Lazio’s Matias Vecino or Tottenham’s Rodrigo Bentancur alongside Valverde.
Then at the back, stalwart center-backs Jose Maria Gimenez (Atletico Madrid), Sebastian Coates (Sporting CP), and veterans Martin Caceres (LA Galaxy) and Diego Godin (Velez Sarsfield) continue to prove dependable as well as Araujo (Barcelona) who has proven fit to join the squad.
Uruguay also boast a loaded midfield, which includes European stars Rodrigo Betancur (Tottenham), Federico Valverde (Real Madrid), Matias Vecino (Lazio), and Lucas Torreira (Galatasaray).
Weaknesses
If Araujo is not well enough by the opening match, it could prove a major blow. He often plays at right-back for Uruguay, and the cover in that position will be offered by the experienced Damian Suarez (Getafe) and Guillermo Varela (Flamengo).
Luis Suarez, heading into his fourth World Cup, has been plying his trade back in his native Uruguay in recent months and it’s tough to know what to expect of him in Qatar. If the 35-year-old is not up to snuff as Nunez’s forward partner, is Alonso ready to bench the captain and most recognizable face on the team?
Uruguay World Cup group
Based on FIFA’s world rankings and international pedigree, No. 14 Uruguay are expected to be one of the top two teams to get out of Group H.
The pressure will be on to win the opener against South Korea (Nov. 24), though the second matchday against Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo could be the most favorable stylistic matchup for Uruguay.
Given their history at past World Cups, the last thing Uruguay wants is a Ghana side that has something to play for in the group finale. Revenge will still be on the minds of the Black Stars after the infamous Suarez hand ball on the goal line in 2010, which prevented them from reaching the quarterfinals.
World Cup Group H fixtures and match schedule
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Thurs, Nov. 24 | Uruguay vs. South Korea | 8 a.m. | Education City Stadium |
| Thurs, Nov. 24 | Portugal vs. Ghana | 11 a.m. | Stadium 974 |
| Mon, Nov. 28 | South Korea vs. Ghana | 8 a.m. | Education City Stadium |
| Mon, Nov. 28 | Portugal vs. Uruguay | 2 p.m. | Lusail Stadium |
| Fri, Dec. 2 | South Korea vs. Portugal | 10 a.m. | Education City Stadium |
| Fri, Dec. 2 | Ghana vs. Uruguay | 10 a.m. | Al Janoub Stadium |
Uruguay vs. South Korea squad, lineup
Against a South Korean side that can run all day, Uruguay will need just the right mix of workrate and quality to overcome the Asian side.
From a tactical standpoint, Diego Alonso has tried a mix of formations in his short time on the job, and although the 4-4-2 has worked well, the 3-5-2 could also be an option here, giving La Celeste the chance to field all three of Matias Vecino, Federico Valverde and Rodrigo Bentancur against South Korea’s packed five-man midfield.
Uruguay projected starting XI vs South Korea
GK: Rochet
DFs: Araujo — Coates — Gimenez — Olivera
MFs: Valverde — Bentancur — Vecino
FWs: Nunez — L. Suarez — F. Torres
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