Uruguay
Marcelo Bielsa
ARMarcelo Alberto Bielsa Caldera ([maɾˈselo alˈβeɾto ˈβjelsa], nicknamed El Loco Bielsa [ˈloko ˈβjelsa], meaning 'The Madman Bielsa'; born 21 July 1955) is an Argentine professional football manager who is the current manager of the Uruguay national team. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential coaches of all time. Bielsa played as a defender in Newell's Old Boys' First Division team and was a member of Argentina U23 in the 1976 Pre-Olympic Tournament, but retired when he was 25 to focus on coaching. Bielsa has managed several football clubs and also the national teams of Argentina and Chile. He developed his career as coach of Newell's Old Boys where he won several titles in the early 1990s, before moving to Mexico in 1992, briefly coaching Club Atlas and Club América.
- 2012 Athletic Bilbao Copa del Rey Runner-up
- 2014-15 Ligue 1 Champion (Marseille)
- 2004 Olympic Gold Medal (Argentina)
SQUAD
23 Uruguay's first-choice goalkeeper. Currently plying his trade at Inter Milan, a commanding presence between the posts, Sergio Rochet is known for sharp reflexes and assured shot-stopping, serving as the last line of defense for Uruguay. Has earned 20 international caps. Set to compete with Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 14 previous tournament appearances.
Uruguay's next-generation goalkeeper. Currently plying his trade at Independiente, a commanding presence between the posts, Santiago Mele is known for sharp reflexes and assured shot-stopping, serving as the last line of defense for Uruguay. Has earned 3 international caps, an emerging talent on the international stage. Set to compete with Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 14 previous tournament appearances.
GK Lazio prospect and Uruguay's young goalkeeping option. Currently plying his trade at Sporting CP, a commanding presence between the posts, Franco Israel is known for sharp reflexes and assured shot-stopping, serving as the last line of defense for Uruguay. Has earned 5 international caps, an emerging talent on the international stage. Set to compete with Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 14 previous tournament appearances.
DF Atlético Madrid centre-back and Uruguay's defensive leader and vice-captain. Currently plying his trade at Atlético Madrid, a dependable defender, José María Giménez combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling, forming a key part of Uruguay's backline. Has earned 85 international caps, scoring 5 goals, making him one of the most senior figures in the squad. Set to compete with Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 14 previous tournament appearances.
Wolverhampton centre-back and a promising addition to Uruguay's defence. Currently plying his trade at Wolverhampton, a dependable defender, Santiago Bueno combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling, forming a key part of Uruguay's backline. Has earned 5 international caps, an emerging talent on the international stage. Set to compete with Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 14 previous tournament appearances.
DF Barcelona centre-back and the pillar of Uruguay's defence. Currently plying his trade at Barcelona, a dependable defender, Ronald Araújo combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling, forming a key part of Uruguay's backline. Has earned 25 international caps, scoring 2 goals. Set to compete with Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 14 previous tournament appearances.
DF Flamengo right-back and an experienced full-back for Uruguay. Currently plying his trade at Flamengo, a dependable defender, Guillermo Varela combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling, forming a key part of Uruguay's backline. Has earned 10 international caps. Set to compete with Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 14 previous tournament appearances.
DF Al-Hilal midfielder/right-back and a versatile option for Uruguay. Currently plying his trade at Al-Qadsiah, a dependable defender, Nahitan Nández combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling, forming a key part of Uruguay's backline. Has earned 50 international caps, scoring 2 goals, building significant international experience. Set to compete with Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 14 previous tournament appearances.
DF Napoli left-back and Uruguay's first-choice on the left flank. Currently plying his trade at Napoli, a dependable defender, Mathías Olivera combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling, forming a key part of Uruguay's backline. Has earned 25 international caps. Set to compete with Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 14 previous tournament appearances.
DF Uruguayan left-back with strong attacking contributions from the flank. Currently plying his trade at Racing Club, a dependable defender, Lucas Olaza combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling, forming a key part of Uruguay's backline. Has earned 5 international caps, an emerging talent on the international stage. Set to compete with Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 14 previous tournament appearances.
Club América centre-back and a rising force in Uruguay's defence. Currently plying his trade at Club América, a dependable defender, Sebastián Cáceres combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling, forming a key part of Uruguay's backline. Has earned 10 international caps. Set to compete with Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 14 previous tournament appearances.
MF Tottenham midfielder and a key organiser in Uruguay's midfield. Currently plying his trade at Tottenham Hotspur, an industrious midfielder, Rodrigo Bentancur excels at dictating tempo and linking defense to attack, acting as the creative engine for Uruguay. Has earned 55 international caps, scoring 2 goals, building significant international experience. Set to compete with Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 14 previous tournament appearances.
MF Benfica midfielder and a technically gifted option in Uruguay's engine room. Currently plying his trade at River Plate, an industrious midfielder, Nicolás De La Cruz excels at dictating tempo and linking defense to attack, acting as the creative engine for Uruguay. Has earned 25 international caps, scoring 3 goals. Set to compete with Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 14 previous tournament appearances.
MF Flamengo number 10 and Uruguay's creative attacking midfielder. Currently plying his trade at Flamengo, an industrious midfielder, Giorgian De Arrascaeta excels at dictating tempo and linking defense to attack, acting as the creative engine for Uruguay. Has earned 40 international caps, scoring 4 goals. Set to compete with Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 14 previous tournament appearances.
MF Manchester United defensive midfielder and Uruguay's midfield destroyer. Currently plying his trade at Manchester United, an industrious midfielder, Manuel Ugarte excels at dictating tempo and linking defense to attack, acting as the creative engine for Uruguay. Has earned 25 international caps. Set to compete with Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 14 previous tournament appearances.
MF Real Madrid box-to-box midfielder and Uruguay's new-generation leader. Currently plying his trade at Real Madrid, an industrious midfielder, Federico Valverde excels at dictating tempo and linking defense to attack, acting as the creative engine for Uruguay. Has earned 60 international caps, scoring 5 goals, building significant international experience. Set to compete with Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 14 previous tournament appearances.
FW Liverpool striker and Uruguay's main forward. Currently plying his trade at Liverpool, a clinical forward, Darwin Núñez possesses sharp finishing instincts and intelligent movement, serving as Uruguay's primary attacking threat. Has earned 45 international caps, scoring 11 goals. Set to compete with Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 14 previous tournament appearances.
FW Panathinaikos winger and a pacey attacker for Uruguay. Currently plying his trade at Manchester United, a clinical forward, Facundo Pellistri possesses sharp finishing instincts and intelligent movement, serving as Uruguay's primary attacking threat. Has earned 20 international caps, scoring 2 goals. Set to compete with Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 14 previous tournament appearances.
FW Orlando City winger and an exciting attacking talent for Uruguay. Currently plying his trade at Orlando City, a clinical forward, Facundo Torres possesses sharp finishing instincts and intelligent movement, serving as Uruguay's primary attacking threat. Has earned 15 international caps, scoring 2 goals. Set to compete with Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 14 previous tournament appearances.
FW LAFC forward and a rising Uruguayan attacker. Currently plying his trade at Los Angeles FC, a clinical forward, Cristian Olivera possesses sharp finishing instincts and intelligent movement, serving as Uruguay's primary attacking threat. Has earned 10 international caps, scoring 1 goal. Set to compete with Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 14 previous tournament appearances.
FW Athletico Paranaense winger and a pacy wide player for Uruguay. Currently plying his trade at Athletico Paranaense, a clinical forward, Agustín Canobbio possesses sharp finishing instincts and intelligent movement, serving as Uruguay's primary attacking threat. Has earned 15 international caps, scoring 2 goals. Set to compete with Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 14 previous tournament appearances.
FW FC Toluca winger and a fresh attacking option for Uruguay. Currently plying his trade at Peñarol, a clinical forward, Maximiliano Araújo possesses sharp finishing instincts and intelligent movement, serving as Uruguay's primary attacking threat. Has earned 10 international caps, scoring 2 goals. Set to compete with Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 14 previous tournament appearances.
FW Uruguay's all-time top scorer and former Barcelona legend. Currently plying his trade at Inter Miami, a clinical forward, Luis Suárez possesses sharp finishing instincts and intelligent movement, serving as Uruguay's primary attacking threat. Has earned 142 international caps, scoring 69 goals, demonstrating consistent attacking output. Born in 1987, the 39-year-old veteran continues to compete at the highest level, bringing invaluable experience and professionalism. Set to compete with Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 14 previous tournament appearances.