Marcelo Bielsa has decided to exclude Luis Suárez from the Uruguay squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
Suárez, who last represented his country in 2024, holds the record as Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer with 69 goals.
Although he has scored six goals in 11 matches for MLS side Inter Miami, this was not sufficient to earn him a spot in Bielsa’s squad.
Suárez’s 143 caps place him second only to Diego Godín, who has 161, marking a significant loss of experience for the squad.
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Bielsa has opted to include 39-year-old goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, who boasts 134 caps, while Atlético Madrid defender José María Giménez is poised to reach his 100th cap.
A surprising exclusion is Nahitan Nández, who played a significant role in the qualification process.
Real Madrid‘s midfield dynamo Federico Valverde has made a recovery following a recent training incident with Aurélien Tchouaméni, and it seems that ex-Liverpool forward Darwin Núñez is set to lead the attacking line.
Uruguay will compete in a group featuring top contenders Spain, Cape Verde, and Saudi Arabia.
Uruguay’s Squad for the 2026 World Cup
Goalkeepers: Sergio Rochet (Internacional), Fernando Muslera (Estudiantes), Santiago Mele (Monterrey)
Defenders: Guillermo Varela (Flamengo), Ronald Araújo (Barcelona), José María Giménez (Atlético Madrid), Santiago Bueno (Wolves), Sebastián Cáceres (Club America), Mathías Olivera (Napoli), Joaquín Piquérez (Palmeiras), Matías Viña (River Plate, on loan from Flamengo)
Midfielders: Manuel Ugarte (Manchester United), Emiliano Martínez (Palmeiras), Rodrigo Bentancur (Tottenham Hotspur), Federico Valverde (Real Madrid), Agustín Canobbio (Fluminense), Juan Manuel Sanabria (Real Salt Lake), Giorgian de Arrascaeta (Fluminese), Nicolás de la Cruz (Flamengo), Rodrigo Zalazar (Braga), Facundo Pellistri (Panathinaikos), Maximiliano Araújo (Sporting CP), Brian Rodríguez (Club America)
Forwards: Rodrigo Aguirre (Tigres), Federico Viñas (Real Oviedo), Darwin Núñez (Al Hilal)