Marcelo Bielsa has named his 26-man Uruguay squad for the 2026 World Cup, with Luis Suarez the most notable absentee and Fernando Muslera the most surprising inclusion, the veteran goalkeeper coming out of international retirement to compete in what will be his fifth World Cup.
Suarez’s omission marks the end of an era. The legendary striker has not missed a World Cup since South Africa 2010 and his absence signals a definitive generational shift in La Celeste’s attacking options.
Suarez had criticised Bielsa’s management style, saying it had divided the dressing room, although he later said he had apologised for those remarks.
Muslera’s return, by contrast, gives the squad a landmark to look forward to: the Estudiantes de La Plata goalkeeper is set to become Uruguay’s most-capped player at the World Cup, surpassing his own previous record.
The squad is built around its established European stars. Federico Valverde leads the group as the team’s primary creative force, having cemented himself as one of Real Madrid’s most important players. Ronald Araujo anchors the defence with the physicality and leadership he has shown at Barcelona, while Jose Maria Gimenez provides experience alongside him. Manuel Ugarte, Rodrigo Bentancur, Giorgian De Arrascaeta and Darwin Nunez complete a core that gives Uruguay genuine quality across the pitch.
Only four La Liga players made the cut: Araujo, Gimenez, Valverde and Federico Vinas, the latter on loan at Real Oviedo from Leon. Several other La Liga-based players missed out, including Santiago Mourino, Nicolas Fonseca, Mauro Arambarri and Martin Satriano.
Uruguay have been drawn in a group alongside Spain, Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde. They open their campaign against Saudi Arabia before facing Cape Verde, with their final group match against Spain scheduled in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Bielsa enters his first World Cup as Uruguay manager with the aim of returning the two-time world champions to the latter stages of the competition.
Full squad
Goalkeepers: Sergio Rochet, Fernando Muslera, Santiago Mele
Defenders: Guillermo Varela, Ronald Araujo, Jose Maria Gimenez, Santiago Bueno, Sebastian Caceres, Mathias Olivera, Joaquin Piquerez, Matias Vina
Midfielders: Manuel Ugarte, Emiliano Martinez, Rodrigo Bentancur, Federico Valverde, Agustin Canobbio, Juan Manuel Sanabria, Giorgian De Arrascaeta, Nicolas De La Cruz, Rodrigo Zalazar, Facundo Pellistri, Maximiliano Araujo, Brian Rodriguez
Forwards: Rodrigo Aguirre, Federico Vinas, Darwin Nunez
