URU
FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 · GROUP H · POT 4

Uruguay
World Cup 26-man squad

Manager Marcelo Bielsa · Argentine head coach since 2023 (aged 70). Nicknamed 'El Loco' — a cult figure who has managed Leeds, Marseille, Athletic Bilbao, Chile and more. High-press 3-3-1-3 / 4-3-3 specialist.
MD1 Jun 15 vs Saudi Arabia MD2 Jun 21 vs Cape Verde MD3 Jun 27 vs Spain
14th World Cup appearance · best finish: Champions (1930, 1950)
26
Squad size
28.2
Avg. age
26 / 26
Overseas-based
15 / 11
WC veterans / Debutants
TEAM STORY

Marcelo Bielsa's (Argentine) Uruguay announced their final 26 on May 31. This is Uruguay's 14th World Cup — two-time champions (1930, 1950) — and Bielsa's second World Cup with the side. After missing Qatar 2022, the redemption arrives.

Spine: captain José María Giménez (Atlético Madrid) + Federico Valverde (Real Madrid) + Ronald Araújo (Barcelona) + Darwin Núñez (Al-Hilal, ex-Liverpool) + Manuel Ugarte (Manchester United) + Rodrigo Bentancur (Tottenham). A European top-flight core, with 39-year-old Fernando Muslera (Estudiantes) chasing a fifth consecutive World Cup.

Group H opponents: Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde, Spain. June 15 vs KSA (New York New Jersey Stadium) → June 21 vs CPV (Miami Stadium) → June 27 vs Spain (Estadio Guadalajara at 1,500m altitude). A first World Cup trophy in 76 years (since Brazil 1950) is the dream target.

PREDICTED XI

LIKELY 4-3-3.

Bielsa's preferred 4-3-3. Núñez (Al-Hilal) at No.9 with Maximiliano Araújo left and Pellistri or de Arrascaeta right. Ugarte (Man Utd) anchors with Valverde (Real Madrid) + Bentancur (Spurs). Captain José María Giménez (Atlético) + Ronald Araújo (Barcelona) at CB.

4-3-3 (predicted)
KEY PLAYERS

KEY PLAYERS.

The five players who set the tone in the group stage — by role and trait.

2
CB · DF
José María Giménez
Atlético Madrid · 31 · La Liga
99 caps · 8G WC: 2018, 2022
Captain & Atlético CB
CAPTAIN
9
ST · FW
Darwin Núñez
Al-Hilal · 26
38 caps · 13G WC: 2022
Striking ace
ACE
8
CM · MF
Federico Valverde
Real Madrid · 27 · La Liga
73 caps · 9G WC: 2022
Real Madrid midfield core
4
CB · DF
Ronald Araújo
Barcelona · 27 · La Liga
27 caps · 1G WC: 2022
Barcelona CB
5
CDM · MF
Manuel Ugarte
Manchester United · 25 · Premier League
36 caps · 1G WC: 2022
Manchester United ball-winner
SQUAD

SQUAD 26.

GK GOALKEEPERS 3
DF DEFENDERS 7
MF MIDFIELDERS 11
FW FORWARDS 5
GROUP H

GROUP H.

ESP
Spain
POT 1
CPV
Cape Verde
POT 2
KSA
Saudi Arabia
POT 3
URU
Uruguay
POT 4
Mon, Jun 15
Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay
New York New Jersey Stadium · East Rutherford, NJ
Uruguay, two-time world champions (1930, 1950), open at New York New Jersey Stadium vs Saudi Arabia (third consecutive World Cup). A showcase of Bielsa's evolution.
View lineups →
MD1
Sun, Jun 21
Cape Verde vs Uruguay
Miami Stadium · Miami Gardens, FL
Miami clash vs debutants Cape Verde. Núñez + Valverde's vertical push must secure three points.
View lineups →
MD2
Sat, Jun 27
Spain vs Uruguay
Estadio Guadalajara · Zapopan
Group decider vs Spain at 1,500m altitude in Guadalajara. A blockbuster for a knockout berth.
View lineups →
MD3

Road to the final

Spoiler-free: the potential bracket route by final group position. No results shown.

Win Group H
  1. Round of 32 Jul 02 · Inglewood vs Runners-up Group J
  2. Round of 16 Jul 06 · Arlington vs Winner of Match 83
  3. Quarter-finals Jul 10 · Inglewood vs Winner of Match 94
  4. Semi-finals Jul 14 · Arlington vs Winner of Match 97
  5. Final Jul 19 · East Rutherford vs Winner of Match 102
Runners-up, Group H
  1. Round of 32 Jul 03 · Miami Gardens vs Winners Group J
  2. Round of 16 Jul 07 · Atlanta vs Winner of Match 88
  3. Quarter-finals Jul 11 · Kansas City vs Winner of Match 96
  4. Semi-finals Jul 15 · Atlanta vs Winner of Match 99
  5. Final Jul 19 · East Rutherford vs Winner of Match 101
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