Marcelo Bielsa announced Uruguay’s final squad on May 31, 2026. Darwin Núñez (Al-Hilal), Federico Valverde (Real Madrid) and Rodrigo Bentancur (Tottenham) form the backbone. Uruguay are traditionally South America’s dark horse — collective pressing and tactical discipline over individual stars.
Full squad (26 players)
| Pos | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Sergio Rochet | Internacional |
| GK | Fernando Muslera | Estudiantes |
| GK | Santiago Mele | Monterrey |
| DEF | Ronald Araújo | Barcelona |
| DEF | José María Giménez | Atlético Madrid |
| DEF | Santiago Bueno | Wolverhampton |
| DEF | Sebastián Cáceres | Club América |
| DEF | Guillermo Varela | Flamengo |
| DEF | Mathías Olivera | Napoli |
| DEF | Joaquín Piquerez | Palmeiras |
| DEF | Matías Viña | Flamengo |
| DEF | Juan Manuel Sanabria | Real Salt Lake |
| MID | Manuel Ugarte | Manchester United |
| MID | Rodrigo Bentancur | Tottenham |
| MID | Federico Valverde | Real Madrid |
| MID | Giorgian de Arrascaeta | Flamengo |
| MID | Nicolás de la Cruz | Flamengo |
| MID | Agustín Canobbio | Fluminense |
| MID | Facundo Pellistri | Panathinaikos |
| MID | Rodrigo Zalazar | Braga |
| MID | Maxi Araújo | Sporting CP |
| MID | Brian Rodríguez | Club América |
| MID | Emiliano Martínez | Palmeiras |
| FWD | Darwin Núñez | Al-Hilal |
| FWD | Rodrigo Aguirre | Club América |
| FWD | Federico Viñas | Real Oviedo |
Key facts
Coach: Marcelo Bielsa. Captain: José María Giménez.
Key players: Valverde — engine of the midfield, Ugarte — destroyer (Manchester United), Núñez — the only world-class centre forward.
Notable: Most midfielders from South American clubs — Bielsa’s trademark: collective pressing above individual starpower.
Odds to win the tournament
Uruguay are priced around 25.00–30.00 — a classic dark horse. The country won the World Cup twice (1930, 1950) and historically makes life uncomfortable for favourites in the knockout rounds. Bielsa’s system creates problems that are difficult to neutralise in 90 minutes. With a favourable knockout draw, Uruguay can realistically reach the semi-finals.
