Uruguay despite being the two-time world champion is usually considered the first among the underdogs in major international tournaments.
La Celeste’s best run in ages was at the 2010 FIFA World Cup when they reached the semi-final before getting knocked out by the eventual runner-up Netherlands.
While the team has some faces from that era still playing at the international level, they are in the company of a handful of new faces. So have a look at Uruguay squad for FIFA World Cup 2022.
Uruguay Squad For Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022
| Position | Player | Club | Age | Caps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Fernando Muslera | Galatasaray (TUR) | 36 | 133 |
| Goalkeeper | Sergio Rochet | Nacional (URU) | 29 | 8 |
| Goalkeeper | Sebastian Sosa | Independiente (ARG) | 36 | 1 |
| Defender | Ronald Araujo | Barcelona (ESP) | 23 | 12 |
| Defender | Martin Caceres | LA Galaxy (USA) | 35 | 115 |
| Defender | Sebastian Coates | Sporting CP (POR) | 32 | 47 |
| Defender | Jose Maria Gimenez | Atletico Madrid (ESP) | 27 | 78 |
| Defender | Diego Godin | Velez Sarsfield (ARG) | 36 | 159 |
| Defender | Mathias Olivera | Napoli (ITA) | 24 | 8 |
| Defender | Jose Luis Rodriguez | Nacional (URU) | 25 | 9 |
| Defender | Guillermo Varela | Flamengo (BRA) | 29 | 9 |
| Defender | Matias Vina | AS Roma (ITA) | 24 | 26 |
| Midfielder | Rodrigo Bentancur | Tottenham (ENG) | 25 | 51 |
| Midfielder | Nicolas De La Cruz | River Plate (ARG) | 25 | 17 |
| Midfielder | Facundo Pellistri | Manchester United (ENG) | 20 | 7 |
| Midfielder | Lucas Torreira | Galatasaray (TUR) | 26 | 40 |
| Midfielder | Manuel Ugarte | Sporting CP (POR) | 21 | 6 |
| Midfielder | Federico Valverde | Real Madrid (ESP) | 24 | 44 |
| Midfielder | Matias Vecino | Lazio (ITA) | 31 | 62 |
| Forward | Agustin Canobbio | Athletico Paranaense (BRA) | 24 | 3 |
| Forward | Edinson Cavani | Valencia (ESP) | 35 | 133 |
| Forward | Giorgian De Arrascaeta | Flamengo (BRA) | 28 | 40 |
| Forward | Maxi Gomez | Trabzonspor (TUR) | 26 | 27 |
| Forward | Darwin Nunez | Liverpool (ENG) | 23 | 13 |
| Forward | Luis Suarez | Nacional (URU) | 35 | 134 |
| Forward | Facundo Torres | Orlando City (USA) | 22 | 10 |
What Other Teams Are Playing Against Uruguay In The Group Stage?
All three opponents of Uruguay in the group stage are faces from the past for them. They have Portugal, who they knocked out in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Then they have Ghana who they infamously threw out of the quarter-final in 2010. The other competitor is South Korea which for them will be a repeat of the ŕound-of-16 match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Uruguay Group Fixtures
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Thurs, Nov. 24 | Uruguay vs. South Korea | 8 a.m. | Education City Stadium |
| Mon, Nov. 28 | Portugal vs. Uruguay | 2 p.m. | Lusail Stadium |
| Fri, Dec. 2 | Ghana vs. Uruguay | 10 a.m. | Al Janoub Stadium |
Uruguay Strengths
The back and midfield of Uruguay as of late have seen some serious talents with the likes of Jose Gimenez and Ronald Araujo and Federico Valverde and Rodrigo Bentancur respectively. One name to look out for in the mentioned names is that of Valverde who is having an absolutely best form with the Spanish giant Real Madrid. In the same bracket also comes Liverpool’s hit summer signing Darwin Nunes who is reputed for netting goals in crucial fixtures.
In the front, Cavani and Suarez remarkably still have a lot to give and are quite as lethal as they have been in past international tournaments.
But one thing that hasn’t diminished in all these years is their resilient fighting spirit. Even Brazil and Argentina consider them a seasonal headache and at times way worse than that.
Uruguay Weaknesses
Recent injuries of key players have apparently given Uruguay’s coach some confusing times in properly selecting replacements and even forcing him to alternate their preferred formation that so far has really worked for them.
Their star defenseman, Araujo healing time is also a concern.
In light of the aforesaid facts, this Uruguayan team won’t have that much of a pace when it’s time to attack.
Expectations From Uruguay
Uruguay is among the few teams in international tournaments that are hardest to predict, say even the analysts.
Nevertheless, their knack to find a way somehow is something that has made them a familiar team at the World Cup tournaments and many still expect them to run deep in the tournament if not the title favorites.
Only considering the last three World Cups appearances, Uruguay has the best stats among the South American teams by virtue of their time span in each of the tournaments, the semi-final in 2010, the round of 16 in 2014, and the quarterfinals in 2018.
That said and looking at their group map, they should at least make it through the initial phase of the competition and secure a spot in the last 16.
