Marcelo Bielsa has said there is no issue between him and Luis Suarez after leaving the veteran striker out of Uruguay’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Bielsa announced his 26-man squad on Sunday. The 39-year-old Suarez was not included despite recently saying he would be ready to return to international football if called up.
The former Liverpool and Barcelona forward retired from international football in September 2024. However, he later opened the door for a comeback and made it clear that he was willing to help the national team again.
Speaking before Uruguay’s departure for the World Cup, Bielsa explained that he chose other attacking players instead. Among them is former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez.
“Suarez said he was willing to contribute with a return to the national team, which I always understood as a valuable and sincere statement. In fact, I have no differences with Suarez,” Bielsa said at his final press conference in Uruguay before departing for the World Cup.
When asked again about his relationship with the striker, Bielsa gave a clear answer.
“Luis Suarez does not owe me an apology,” the Argentine added.
The Uruguay coach said his squad selection was based only on what he felt would give the team the best chance of success at the tournament.
Bielsa said his decision to choose other players was “guided solely by what I consider best for the team’s chances”.
Suarez and Bielsa had been at the centre of a public dispute after the 2024 Copa America. Soon after retiring from international football, Suarez criticised the coach and accused him of treating members of the squad poorly during the tournament.
The controversy came during a difficult period for Uruguay. The team struggled for results and suffered a heavy 5-1 defeat to the United States in a friendly match in November.
Despite that spell, Bielsa remained in charge. The World Cup in North America will be his third as a head coach. He previously led Argentina at the 2002 World Cup and Chile at the 2010 edition.
Uruguay will begin their World Cup campaign on June 15. They face Saudi Arabia in their opening Group H match. Spain and Cape Verde are the other teams in the group.
