No late recall for Luis Suarez as Marcelo Bielsa names Uruguay squad for FIFA World Cup 2026
Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa has announced his 26-man squad for FIFA World Cup 2026.
As he returns to the FIFA World Cup with a third different country, having led Argentina in 2002 and then Chile in 2010, Marcelo Bielsa has named his 26-man Uruguay squad to play in North America this summer.
The two-time world champions still possess their usual grit and aggression but there has been a big call made with Luis Suarez left out, despite the Inter Miami striker saying he would come out of international retirement a few weeks before the tournament began.
The experienced Nahitan Nandez, who is now at Al Qadsiah, was also left out by the Uruguayans alongside former Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira. Perhaps the most surprising exclusion is versatile Villarreal defender Santiago Mourino.
Fernando Muslera, who turns 40 mid-way through the opening week of the tournament, is back in the squad between the sticks and he is one of several players with a lot of international experience, such as defender Jose Maria Gimenez and attacking midfielder Giorgian de Arrascaeta.
Without Luis Suarez up top, the Uruguayans will be reliant on former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez, with the other options being Oviedo forward Fede Vinas and Rodrigo Aguirre, of UANL.
There is a fair bit of depth in the middle of the park with Real Madrid’s Fede Valverde absolutely fundamental to their plans, alongside Manuel Ugarte and Rodrigo Bentancur.
Out-wide, crucial to the intensity of Bielsa’s style of football, Sporting CP’s Maximiliano Araujo and former Manchester United man Facundo Pellistri will also be of significant importance for the South Americans.
