Heading for their 14th World Cup tournament in the nation’s history, Uruguay is once again the dark horse of the World Cup. It’s what you’d expect from a country that has won the tournament in the past — La Celeste were champions in two of the first four World Cups — and reached the semifinals in 2010.
But what matters most in Qatar is the talent on the field. Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani, and Diego Godin have reached their late 30s but are hoping for one last magical run. It could also turn into a tournament in which the next generation of stars takes over.
Federico Valverde, who was recently named the third-best player in the world, and Liverpool goalscoring sensation Darwin Nunez are ready for the World Cup stage, along with FC Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo, if he can recover from injury. Bright MLS forward Facundo Torres could have a breakout tournament amid rumors of European interest.
La Celeste always seems to find a way, including in recent World Cup qualifiers when things looked dire and legendary manager Oscar Washington Tabarez was sacked. They made it to the end, and they are one of the favorites to advance from Group H in Qatar. And if Uruguay and their characteristic fight and grit – known as Garra Charrua – reach the knockouts, anything can happen.
Uruguay World Cup Squad 2022
New manager Diego Alonso, who took over the reins in January, announced an extended starting squad of a maximum of 55 players on Friday, October 21, with a provisional squad limit of 35-55 players.
From that list of 55, he selected the final roster for Qatar on November 10, selecting the 26 players permitted for the 2022 World Cup.
Both Ronald Araujo and Edinson Cavani are doubtful to recover due to injuries, while Facundo Torres, who plays for MLS side Orlando City, has been named on the list.
Felipe Carballo had no place in midfield despite his excellent domestic form for Nacional, while Espanyol captain Leandro Cabrera failed to win his first international cap.
Here’s a look at the final 26-man roster for Uruguay at the 2022 FIFA World Cup:
| Position | No. | Player | Club | Age | Caps |
| GK | 1 | Fernando Muslera | Galatasaray (TUR) | 36 | 133 |
| GK | 23 | Sergio Rochet | Nacional (URU) | 29 | 8 |
| GK | 12 | Sebastian Sosa | Independiente (ARG) | 36 | 1 |
| DEF | 4 | Ronald Araujo | Barcelona (ESP) | 23 | 12 |
| DEF | 22 | Martin Caceres | LA Galaxy (USA) | 35 | 115 |
| DEF | 19 | Sebastian Coates | Sporting CP (POR) | 32 | 47 |
| DEF | 2 | Jose Maria Gimenez | Atletico Madrid (ESP) | 27 | 78 |
| DEF | 3 | Diego Godin | Velez Sarsfield (ARG) | 36 | 159 |
| DEF | 16 | Mathias Olivera | Napoli (ITA) | 24 | 8 |
| DEF | 26 | Jose Luis Rodriguez | Nacional (URU) | 25 | 9 |
| DEF | 13 | Guillermo Varela | Flamengo (BRA) | 29 | 9 |
| DEF | 17 | Matias Vina | AS Roma (ITA) | 24 | 26 |
| MID | 6 | Rodrigo Bentancur | Tottenham (ENG) | 25 | 51 |
| MID | 7 | Nicolas De La Cruz | River Plate (ARG) | 25 | 17 |
| MID | 14 | Lucas Torreira | Galatasaray (TUR) | 26 | 40 |
| MID | 25 | Manuel Ugarte | Sporting CP (POR) | 21 | 6 |
| MID | 15 | Federico Valverde | Real Madrid (ESP) | 24 | 44 |
| MID | 5 | Matias Vecino | Lazio (ITA) | 31 | 62 |
| MID | 10 | Giorgian De Arrascaeta | Flamengo (BRA) | 28 | 40 |
| MID | 24 | Agustin Canobbio | Athletico Paranaense (BRA) | 24 | 3 |
| FWD | 8 | Facundo Pellistri | Manchester United (ENG) | 20 | 7 |
| FWD | 21 | Edinson Cavani | Valencia (ESP) | 35 | 133 |
| FWD | 18 | Maxi Gomez | Trabzonspor (TUR) | 26 | 27 |
| FWD | 11 | Darwin Nunez | Liverpool (ENG) | 23 | 13 |
| FWD | 9 | Luis Suarez | Nacional (URU) | 35 | 134 |
| FWD | 20 | Facundo Torres | Orlando City (USA) | 22 | 10 |
The Stars, Strengths, and Weaknesses of the Uruguay National Team
Uruguay’s players have proven to have the ideal blend of skill, combat, physicality, and tactical nous, making them one of the most competitive sides in world football despite their relatively small population of around 3.5 million. This is why the country’s players are some of the most sought-after talents in the world.
It is these qualities that will make them difficult again in Qatar.
STARS
While it’s tempting to go back to the well and cite the big names of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, the truth is that the heartbeat of this team is the 24-year-old who plays for Real Madrid.
Federico Valverde is having a sensational season in 2022/23, and that after a strong finish in 2021/22 with a match-winning assist in the Champions League final. He is a player who has shown that he can leave a mark on the game and lead his team to big moments.
It’s scary to think what Valverde can do when Liverpool plays behind 23-year-old striker Darwin Nunez, who can’t find the goals.
When fit, Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo (below) is an equally unstoppable force on the pitch. He is a strong one-on-one defender and is also strong in the air when attacking and defending. But he had hip surgery in September and is racing to get fit again.
POWERS
Team defense – In nine international games under Alonso, Uruguay has conceded just one goal each to Venezuela and Iran.
Defending starts up front and is supported by a resolute central midfield featuring Lazio’s Matias Vecino or Tottenham’s Rodrigo Bentanker alongside Valverde.
Then at the back, stalwart center-backs Jose Maria Gimenez (Atletico Madrid), Sebastian Coates (Sporting CP), and veterans Martin Caceres (LA Galaxy) and Diego Godin (Velez Sarsfield) are proving reliable as well as Araujo (Barcelona). Who has proved fit to join the team?
Uruguay also boasts a loaded midfield, which includes European stars Rodrigo Bettencar (Tottenham), Federico Valverde (Real Madrid), Matias Vecino (Lazio), and Lucas Torreira (Galatasaray).
WEAKNESS
If Araujo isn’t good enough in the opening game, this could prove to be a major setback. He mostly plays right back for Uruguay, and cover in that position will be offered by veterans Damien Suarez (Getafe) and Guillermo Varela (Flamengo).
Luis Suarez, heading into his fourth World Cup, has been plying his trade back in his native Uruguay in recent months and it’s hard to know what to expect from him in Qatar. If the 35-year-old isn’t up to snuff as Nunez’s forward partner, is Alonso ready to bench the captain and the most recognizable face in the squad?