Nation dossier · Group H · Out in the group stage

Uruguay

Oriental Republic of Uruguay

Group HCONMEBOLEliminated

Latest Uruguay 0–1 Spain · Group H

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Title probability

0.0%

as of 2026-07-20

Overview

Uruguay arrive at 2026 in transition but brimming with talent. The disappointment of a 2022 group-stage exit accelerated a generational shift, and under a modern, aggressive coaching philosophy La Celeste have rediscovered their swagger. A spine of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Premier League regulars gives them genuine quality across the pitch.

The blend is intriguing: the seasoned grit of Giménez and Coates married to the dynamism of Valverde, Ugarte and the electric Darwin Núñez. After a strong CONMEBOL qualifying campaign, expectations are climbing.

Uruguay remain a small nation that punches absurdly above its weight, and they head to North America believing a deep run is realistic.

Capital

Montevideo

Population

3,400,000

Confederation

CONMEBOL

FIFA code

URU

World

Region

From Wikipedia

Oriental Republic of Uruguay fields one of the 48 national teams contesting the 2026 FIFA World Cup across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Source: Wikipedia →

Squad

Goalkeepers3

1
Sergio Rochet
Internacional · First-choice goalkeeper
30caps
12
Santiago Mele
Monterrey · Rising backup option
4caps
23
Fernando Muslera
Estudiantes · Returned at 39 for fifth World Cup

Defenders9

2
José Giménez
Atlético Madrid · Veteran captain, fourth World Cup
99caps
3
Sebastían Cáceres
Club América · Composed ball-playing defender
15caps
4
Ronald Araújo
Barcelona · Barcelona centre-back
25caps
13
Guillermo Varela
Flamengo · Energetic attacking full-back
12caps
16
Mathías Olivera
Napoli · Napoli left-back
25caps
17
Matías Viña
River Plate
20
Maximiliano Araújo
Sporting CP · Pacey wing threat
12caps
22
Joaquín Piquerez
Palmeiras
24
Santiago Bueno
Wolverhampton Wanderers · Athletic emerging defender
8caps

Midfielders10

5
Manuel Ugarte
Manchester United · Defensive midfielder
10caps
6
Rodrigo Bentancur
Tottenham Hotspur · Tottenham midfielder
74caps
7
Nicolas de la Cruz
Flamengo · Creative attacking midfielder
35caps
8
Federico Valverde
Real Madrid · Captain and Real Madrid midfielder
73caps
10
Giorgian De Arrascaeta
Flamengo · Playmaker, 13 international goals
60caps
11
Facundo Pellistri
Panathinaikos · Direct dribbling winger
20caps
15
Emiliano Martínez
Palmeiras · Energetic wide midfielder
6caps
18
Brian Rodríguez
Club América
25
Juan Sanabria
Real Salt Lake
26
Rodrigo Zalazar
Braga

Forwards4

9
Darwin Núñez
Al-Hilal · Main striker, 13 international goals
38caps
14
Agustín Canobbio
Fluminense
19
Rodrigo Aguirre
Tigres UANL · Hard-working target man
10caps
21
Federico Viñas
Real Oviedo · Powerful penalty-box poacher
8caps

Model

as of 2026-07-20

Champion0.0%

Reach final0.0%

Semi-final0.0%

Quarter-final0.0%

Round of 160.0%

Advance from group0.0%

Exp. points

2.00

Proj. finish

40.5

Seed Elo

1900

Title-probability trajectory

Champion chance across the last 14 snapshots

Matches

Results

Estadio Akron, Guadalajara

Hard Rock Stadium, Miami

Hard Rock Stadium, Miami

History

🏆
1930
Champions
🏆
1950
Champions
1954
Fourth place
1970
Fourth place
2010
Fourth place
2018
Quarter-finals
2022
Group stage

Culture

Football culture

Football here is religion, anchored by the historic Peñarol–Nacional rivalry and the cathedral-like Estadio Centenario. The concept of *garra charrúa* — grit, heart and defiance — is celebrated as a national virtue.

Did you know

Uruguay won the inaugural 1930 World Cup as hosts.
With ~3.4 million people, it's the smallest nation to win the World Cup — twice.
The Estadio Centenario was built for the 1930 tournament.
Uruguay's four stars include two Olympic titles FIFA recognises.
Montevideo's Peñarol vs Nacional is among football's oldest rivalries.