Uruguay’s national football team, nicknamed La Celeste (The Sky Blue), is ready to take the field. This article provides a comprehensive look at the squad for 2024, including a full list of players, the current coach and captain, and details about their home stadium and upcoming fixtures.
The Uruguay national football team represents Uruguay in international men’s football, and is administered by the Uruguayan Football Association, the governing body for football in Uruguay. The national team is commonly referred to as La Celeste (The Sky Blue).
Uruguay National Football Team Players, Current squad
This is Uruguay team for FIFA World Cup 2026, Uruguay National Football Team Players for other Tournament like Euro 2024. Uruguay Squad for International Friendlies and World Cup qualifying.
| No. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Randall Rodríguez | 29 November 2003 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | Peñarol | |
| 12 | Franco Israel | 22 April 2000 (age 24) | 2 | 0 | Sporting CP | |
| 23 | Santiago Mele | 6 September 1997 (age 26) | 4 | 0 | Atlético Junior | |
| Defenders | ||||||
| 2 | Nicolás Marichal | 17 March 2001 (age 23) | 1 | 0 | Dynamo Moscow | |
| 3 | Sebastián Cáceres | 18 August 1999 (age 24) | 11 | 0 | América | |
| 16 | Mathías Olivera | 31 October 1997 (age 26) | 17 | 1 | Napoli | |
| 17 | Matías Viña | 9 November 1997 (age 26) | 36 | 0 | Flamengo | |
| 22 | Lucas Olaza | 21 July 1994 (age 29) | 2 | 0 | Krasnodar | |
| Midfielders | ||||||
| 5 | Nicolás Fonseca | 19 October 1998 (age 25) | 1 | 0 | River Plate | |
| 6 | Rodrigo Bentancur | 25 June 1997 (age 26) | 58 | 1 | Tottenham Hotspur | |
| 7 | Nicolás de la Cruz | 1 June 1997 (age 26) | 26 | 5 | Flamengo | |
| 8 | Nahitan Nández | 28 December 1995 (age 28) | 55 | 0 | Cagliari | |
| 10 | Giorgian de Arrascaeta | 1 June 1994 (age 29) | 46 | 10 | Flamengo | |
| 15 | Federico Valverde (vice-captain) | 22 July 1998 (age 25) | 56 | 6 | Real Madrid | |
| 20 | Manuel Ugarte | 11 April 2001 (age 23) | 15 | 0 | Paris Saint-Germain | |
| Forwords | ||||||
| 9 | Federico Viñas | 30 June 1998 (age 25) | 2 | 1 | León | |
| 11 | Facundo Pellistri | 20 December 2001 (age 22) | 19 | 0 | Granada | |
| 14 | Agustín Canobbio | 1 October 1998 (age 25) | 12 | 1 | Athletico Paranaense | |
| 18 | Brian Rodríguez | 20 May 2000 (age 23) | 22 | 4 | América | |
| 19 | Luciano Rodríguez | 16 July 2003 (age 20) | 2 | 0 | Liverpool Montevideo | |
| 21 | Ignacio Laquintana | 1 February 1999 (age 25) | 0 | 0 | Red Bull Bragantino | |
Recent call-ups
The following players have also been called up to the Uruguay squad in the past twelve months.
| Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sergio Rochet | 23 March 1993 (age 31) | 18 | 0 | Internacional |
| Ronald Araújo | 7 March 1999 (age 25) | 16 | 1 | Barcelona |
| Guillermo Varela | 24 March 1993 (age 31) | 15 | 0 | Flamengo |
| Bruno Méndez | 10 September 1999 (age 24) | 7 | 0 | Granada |
| José María Giménez (captain) | 20 January 1995 (age 29) | 83 | 8 | Atlético Madrid |
| Joaquín Piquerez | 24 August 1998 (age 25) | 13 | 0 | Palmeiras |
| Santiago Bueno | 9 November 1998 (age 25) | 2 | 0 | Wolverhampton Wanderers |
| José Luis Rodríguez | 14 March 1997 (age 27) | 2 | 0 | Vasco da Gama |
| Mauricio Lemos | 28 December 1995 (age 28) | 3 | 0 | Atlético Mineiro |
| Sebastián Boselli | 4 December 2003 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | River Plate |
| Facundo González | 6 July 2003 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | Sampdoria |
| Santiago Mouriño | 13 September 2002 (age 21) | 0 | 0 | Zaragoza |
| Mateo Ponte | 24 May 2003 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | Botafogo |
| Matías Vecino | 24 August 1991 (age 32) | 70 | 6 | Lazio |
| Rodrigo Zalazar | 12 August 1999 (age 24) | 2 | 2 | Braga |
| Maximiliano Araújo | 15 February 2000 (age 24) | 7 | 1 | Toluca |
| Felipe Carballo | 4 October 1996 (age 27) | 7 | 0 | Grêmio |
| Emiliano Martínez | 17 August 1999 (age 24) | 2 | 0 | Midtjylland |
| Fabricio Díaz | 3 February 2003 (age 21) | 0 | 0 | Al-Gharafa |
| Facundo Torres | 13 April 2000 (age 24) | 16 | 1 | Orlando City |
| Luis Suárez | 24 January 1987 (age 37) | 138 | 68 | Inter Miami |
| Darwin Núñez | 24 June 1999 (age 24) | 22 | 8 | Liverpool |
| Cristian Olivera | 17 April 2002 (age 22) | 3 | 0 | Los Angeles |
| Maxi Gómez | 14 August 1996 (age 27) | 32 | 4 | Cádiz |
| Diego Rossi | 5 March 1998 (age 26) | 7 | 1 | Columbus Crew |
| Matías Arezo | 21 November 2002 (age 21) | 3 | 1 | Granada |
| Thiago Borbas | 7 April 2002 (age 22) | 2 | 0 | Red Bull Bragantino |
| Anderson Duarte | 23 March 2004 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | Defensor Sporting |
Support staff
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Marcelo Bielsa |
| Assistant coaches | Lucas Ouviña Pablo Quiroga Diego Reyes |
| Goalkeeping coach | Carlos Nicola |
| Fitness coach | Marco Mansulino |
| Analyst | Diego Bermúdez |
| Logistics | Sara Bouzas Magalí Conde |
Who is Captain of Uruguay National Football Team?
Uruguay National Football Team Led by captain José María Giménez.
What is Uruguay’s nickname for their national football team?
The nickname for Uruguay’s national football team is La Celeste, which translates to The Sky Blue in English. This nickname reflects the light blue color of their jerseys.
How many World Cups has Uruguay won?
Uruguay has won two FIFA World Cups. They achieved this feat in 1930 and 1950.
Who is the head coach of the Uruguay national football team?
Marcelo Bielsa is the current head coach of the Uruguay national football team.
Uruguay National Football Team Home Ground
The home ground of the Uruguay National Football Team is the Estadio Centenariolocated in Montevideo, Uruguay. Built to commemorate the centenary of Uruguay’s first constitution, the stadium was inaugurated in 1930 and hosted the very first FIFA World Cup that same year. It holds a special place in Uruguayan hearts and is considered one of the classic stadiums in the world of football.
Uruguay National Football Team Next Fixtures 2024
Here are the next 10 fixtures for the Uruguayan National Football Team in 2024:
- June 4th: Mexico vs. Uruguay (Friendly International)
- June 23rd: Copa America – Uruguay vs. Panama
- June 27th: Copa America – Uruguay vs. Bolivia
- July 1st: Copa America – USA vs. Uruguay
- September 4th: World Cup Qualification CONMEBOL – Uruguay vs. Paraguay
- September 7th: World Cup Qualification CONMEBOL – Venezuela vs. Uruguay
- October 10th: World Cup Qualification CONMEBOL – Peru vs. Uruguay
- October 12th: World Cup Qualification CONMEBOL – Uruguay vs. Ecuador
- November 14th: World Cup Qualification CONMEBOL – Uruguay vs. Colombia
- November 16th: World Cup Qualification CONMEBOL – Brazil vs. Uruguay
Uruguay National Football Team History
Uruguay, a small South American nation, boasts a footballing history that giants can only envy. Nicknamed “La Celeste” (The Sky Blue), the Uruguayan national team has carved its legacy through grit, tactical brilliance, and a never-say-die attitude. This article explores the rich tapestry of Uruguayan football, tracing its triumphs and challenges, and solidifying its place as one of the beautiful game’s most decorated teams.
Early Dominance: The Golden Age (1916-1930)
Football arrived in Uruguay in the late 19th century, fueled by British immigrants. The early 20th century witnessed the rise of a generation of exceptional players like José Nasazzi and Héctor Scarone. This period coincided with the establishment of the South American Championship, later known as the Copa América. Uruguay dominated this tournament, winning a record four consecutive titles from 1916 to 1920. Their success wasn’t limited to South America. At the 1924 and 1928 Olympic Games, La Celeste secured gold medals, defeating powerhouses like Argentina and Netherlands in the finals, respectively.
The pinnacle of this golden age arrived in 1930 with the inaugural FIFA World Cup held in Uruguay. Doubts surrounded the host nation, but La Celeste silenced their critics with a dominant display. Led by the legendary striker Pedro Cea, Uruguay defeated Argentina 4-2 in a thrilling final at the Estadio Centenario, etching their name as the first-ever World Champions.
Defending the Crown: The Maracanãzo (1930-1950)
The 1930s saw Uruguay retain their Copa América crown in 1935 and solidify their position as a global football force. However, the 1940s witnessed the emergence of rivals like Brazil and Argentina. The stage was set for one of football’s most iconic moments – the 1950 World Cup final, held in Rio de Janeiro’s Maracanã Stadium. Brazil, backed by a home crowd of over 170,000, were overwhelming favorites. However, in a dramatic upset dubbed the “Maracanazo,” Uruguay secured a shocking 2-1 victory, proving their resilience and tactical prowess on the biggest stage.
Transition and Rebuilding (1950-1970)
The post-Maracanãzo era saw a decline for La Celeste. The golden generation of players aged, and Uruguay struggled to maintain their previous dominance. While they secured Copa América titles in 1956 and 1959, replicating their World Cup success proved elusive. The 1960s brought a period of rebuilding, with the emergence of new talents like Juan Schiaffino and Luis Cubilla. Uruguay reached the semifinals of the 1970 World Cup but fell short of reclaiming the coveted trophy.
Finding Success Again: A Resurgent Celeste (1970-2000)
The 1970s and 1980s witnessed a resurgence for Uruguay. Led by the likes of Enzo Francescoli and Fernando Morena, they secured Copa América titles in 1983 and 1987. At the 1986 World Cup, La Celeste displayed their fighting spirit, reaching the quarterfinals before bowing out to eventual champions Argentina.
The turn of the millennium witnessed a shift in South American football, with Brazil showcasing a more attacking style. While Uruguay remained competitive, reaching the Copa América finals in 1999, they struggled to match the flair of their rivals.
The Suárez and Cavani Era: Maintaining Relevance (2000-Present)
The arrival of Luis Suárez and Edinson Cavani in the 2000s ushered in a new chapter for Uruguayan football. These prolific strikers, complemented by midfield maestro Diego Godín, helped La Celeste navigate a more competitive landscape. They secured a historic 15th Copa América title in 2011 and consistently reached the knockout stages of major tournaments. At the 2010 World Cup, Uruguay defied expectations by reaching the semifinals, showcasing their defensive solidity and tactical discipline.
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