Uruguay national football team

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Uruguay national football team

The Uruguay national football team (Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Uruguay), nicknamed La Celeste ("The Sky Blue"), have represented Uruguay in international men's football since their first international match in 1902 and is administered by the Uruguayan Football Association, the governing body for football in Uruguay, which is affiliated with CONMEBOL and comes under the global jurisdiction of world football's governing body FIFA. Uruguay's home stadium is the Estadio Centenario, and they have been coached by Marcelo Bielsa since 2023.

Quick Facts Nickname(s), Association ...
Uruguay
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)La Celeste (The Sky Blue)
Los Charrúas (The Charrúas)
AssociationAsociación Uruguaya de Fútbol (AUF)
ConfederationCONMEBOL (South America)
Head coachMarcelo Bielsa
CaptainJosé María Giménez
Most capsDiego Godín (161)
Top scorerLuis Suárez (69)
Home stadiumEstadio Centenario
FIFA codeURU
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 11 (19 December 2024)[1]
Highest2 (June 2012)
Lowest76 (December 1998)
First international
 Uruguay 0–6 Argentina 
(Montevideo, Uruguay; 20 July 1902)[note 1]
Biggest win
 Uruguay 9–0 Bolivia 
(Lima, Peru; 6 November 1927)
Biggest defeat
 Uruguay 0–6 Argentina 
(Montevideo, Uruguay; 20 July 1902)
World Cup
Appearances14 (first in 1930)
Best resultChampions (1930, 1950)
Copa América
Appearances46 (first in 1916)
Best resultChampions (1916, 1917, 1920, 1923, 1924, 1926, 1935, 1942, 1956, 1959, 1967, 1983, 1987, 1995, 2011)
CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions
Appearances1 (first in 1985)
Best resultRunners-up (1985)
Confederations Cup
Appearances2 (first in 1997)
Best resultFourth place (1997, 2013)
Websiteauf.org.uy/mayores
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Considered one of the most successful national teams in international competitions and by FIFA as "football's first global powerhouse,"[6] Uruguay has won four world FIFA-organized competitions, two Olympic titles and two FIFA World Cups.[7][8][9] Their first two senior world titles came at the Olympic tournaments of Paris 1924 and Amsterdam 1928,[8] two events that were directly organized by FIFA as open tournaments that included professionals.[10] In 1924, La Celeste beat Switzerland 3–0 in the final. Then, in 1928, Uruguay repeated the Olympic championship by beating Argentina 2–1.[11] They then secured a third consecutive title at the inaugural FIFA World Cup in Montevideo, where they beat Argentina 4–2 in the decisive match.[12] Uruguay's fourth title came in 1950 after beating hosts Brazil in the final match 2–1, a match that still holds the record for the highest official attendance for a football match ever (173,850 people at the gate). Additionally, Uruguay has won the Copa América 15 times, second only to Argentina for the most titles in the tournament's history, winning their most recent title in 2011.

Uruguay has developed many rivalries through the years, with the most notable ones being with neighboring countries Argentina—known as the Clásico del Río de la Plata based on their geographical location and cultural similarities, and Brazil—known as the Clásico del Río Negro in reference to the 1950 FIFA World Cup final known to football fans as the Maracanazo.[13] Uruguay's rivalries in recent history also include with Australia, having met twice in the playoffs of the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification campaigns, as well as Ghana, whom they encountered in the 2010 and 2022 FIFA World Cups.

History

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Uruguay's rise to prominence on the global stage

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Uruguay before its first official match v Argentina, 20 July 1902

The first official match played by Uruguay was held at the Paso del Molino on 20 July 1902 against Argentina.[3] In that match, Argentina beat the Uruguayan side 6–0 in front of 8,000 spectators.[4][5] Prior to 1916, Uruguay played more than 30 matches, of which all but one were against Argentina. The inaugural Copa America of 1916 saw Uruguay win against Chile and Brazil, along with a draw against Argentina, to win their first major tournament. At the 1917 South American Championship, Uruguay hosted the competition and retained the title by winning every match. The 1919 Copa América saw Uruguay's first loss in the tournament, a 1–0 defeat in a playoff with Brazil which went to two periods of extra time, the longest Copa América match in history.[14][circular reference]

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The team that won its second gold medal at the 1928 Summer Olympics

After winning the 1924 South American Championship, Uruguay traveled to Paris as the first South American team to compete in the Olympic Games. The 1924 Olympic Football tournament also had the distinction of being the first ever "open" championship for professionals, as well as directly being organized by Caetano Heras Manuel Fiochetta and FIFA.[10] Hence, the tournament would be recognized at the time (and also afterwards) as equivalent in value to the FIFA World Cup.[9] Uruguay would eliminate Yugoslavia, United States, France, Netherlands and finally Switzerland to become football's first senior professional world champions. Moreover, after winning the final, Uruguay inadvertently invented the tradition of the lap of honour to thank the fans in Paris. In the 1928 Olympic football tournament, Uruguay would retain their world title after beating Netherlands, Germany, Italy and lastly Argentina 2–1 in the replay of the final (the first match was a draw after extra time).

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The team that beat Argentina in the final match of the 1930 FIFA World Cup to win Uruguay's first FIFA World Cup

Following the double Olympic triumph, Uruguay was chosen as the host nation for the inaugural FIFA World Cup held in 1930, the centenary of Uruguay's first constitution. During this tournament, Uruguay won all its matches against Peru, Romania and Yugoslavia. In the final, La Celeste turned a 1–2 halftime deficit into a 4–2 victory against neighbours Argentina at the Estadio Centenario to capture their consecutive third world title. After this tournament, Uruguay would boycott the World Cup of 1934 due to the refusal of some European teams to participate in the 1930 edition. For the 1938 World Cup, France was chosen as host, contrary to a previous agreement to alternate the championships between South America and Europe, so Uruguay again refused to participate.

Uruguay's golden generation retired after winning the 1935 South American Championship, beating Argentina 3–0 in the final. This was this generation's overall 7th title, which is still the record for most major titles in international football history, counting the 4 South American (1917, '23, '24, '26) and three world titles (1924, '28, 30).

1940s–1960s

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The team that beat Brazil in the decisive match of the 1950 FIFA World Cup to win Uruguay's second FIFA World Cup

In the 1940s, Uruguay achieved early success in a decade largely dominated by Argentina by winning their eighth South American championship in 1942. As the World Cup was not being played, this championship became the priority.

In 1950, Uruguay re-entered the World Cup for the first time since 1930. This time, La Celeste would enter a final-group where they would tie Spain 2–2 and beat Sweden 3–2 on route to the final match against hosts Brazil. On 16 July 1950, Uruguay claimed their second FIFA World Cup and fourth senior world title when they beat Brazil 2–1 from behind in an iconic match known as the Maracanazo in front of a record paying crowd of 173,850. Though, historical estimates indicate that the crowd reached well over 200,000.[15] This feat became an integral part of Uruguay's football identity and a source of inspiration for upcoming footballers with each passing generation.

In the 1954 World Cup, Uruguay reached the semi-final for the fourth time after a notable campaign beating Czechoslovakia, Scotland and England. The semi-final against Hungary is still considered one of the best matches in World Cup history, as La Celeste dramatically tied the match 2–2 late after trailing 2–0 at halftime. Uruguay would finally lose 4–2 in extra-time in what was their first-ever loss at the global stage, a thirty year record that started in January, 1925.

Afterwards, Uruguay would fail to qualify to the World Cup for the first time in the 1958 CONMEBOL Qualifiers after losing 5–0 to Paraguay in Asuncion. From there, Uruguay maintained a competitive generation through the 1960s and into the early 1970s with players from Nacional and Peñarol, who had won several continental and club world titles during that time. In 1962, Uruguay had a relatively poor World Cup, being eliminated in the group stage after a dramatic last match against the Soviet Union. In 1966, Uruguay reached the last eight after drawing hosts England beating France in the group stage. A controversial quarter-final loss against West Germany marred what had been seen as a positive campaign. La Celeste would end the decade winning their 11th South American championship in 1967 by beating Argentina 1–0 in Montevideo.

1970s–1980s

In 1970, Uruguay established themselves again as one of the world's best teams when they advanced to their fourth World Cup semi-final in Mexico 1970, losing to eventual winners Brazil. After that came the biggest downturn in the country's footballing history as they were eliminated in the group stage of the 1974 World Cup, and failed to qualify to Argentina 1978. It wasn't until the late 1970s that Uruguayan football began to see hope as their under-20 team won four consecutive South American titles from 1975 to 1981, as well as reaching the U20 World Cup semi-final in 1979.

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Rodolfo Rodríguez raises the Mundialito trophy won in January 1981

The success of this young generation would bear fruit in the 1980s, which began with Uruguay winning the 1980 World Champions' Gold Cup, a tournament that pitted past World Cup winners together in celebration of the tournament's 50th anniversary. Afterwards, La Celeste went on to win the 1983 and 1987 Copas America back-to-back, only losing 1–0 to hosts Brazil in 1989's decisive title match. After failing to qualify for the 1982 World Cup, in 1986, Uruguay were eliminated in the Round of 16 against eventual champions Argentina after a group stage that included West Germany, Denmark and Scotland.

1990s–2000s

In the 1990 World Cup in Italy, Uruguay were eliminated in the Round of 16 against hosts Italy 2–0 in Rome. Afterwards, Uruguay would fail to qualify for 1994 after losing 2–0 to Brazil in decisive match at Maracanã Stadium. La Celeste would win their next big encounter against the Brazilians when they beat the reigning world champions to win the 1995 Copa America in Montevideo. Later, Uruguay were eliminated from the 1998 World Cup as they finished in seventh place in the first time qualifying had been done in one group.

For the 2002 World Cup qualifiers, Uruguay managed to advance to a final playoff round against Australia to reach the finals. La Celeste would win the decisive match 3–0 in Montevideo to qualify to their first World Cup since 1990. The campaign itself proved a frustrating affair, as Uruguay were narrowly eliminated in the last group match against Senegal after drawing them 3–3, after being down 3–0 at half-time.

The 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign saw another international playoff against Australia. This time, La Celeste were eliminated on penalties in Sydney. This loss led to a profound paradigm shift with the hiring of Oscar Tabarez as manager. From there, Uruguay would finish semi finalists of the 2007 Copa America, and successfully qualified to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

2010s–2022

In 2010, a new generation of footballers, led by Luis Suárez, Diego Forlán and Edinson Cavani, formed a team that finishing fourth in the 2010 World Cup. Uruguay opened the tournament with a goalless draw against France, followed by wins against South Africa (3–0) and Mexico (1–0) respectively, finishing at the top of their group with seven points. In the second round, they played South Korea, defeating them 2–1 with star striker Luis Suárez scoring a brace and earning Uruguay a spot in the quarter-finals for the first time since 1970. Against Ghana, the match finished 1–1, forcing the game into extra-time. Both sides had their chances at extra time but Suárez blocked the ball with his hand in the penalty area, earning Suárez a red card and earning Uruguay universal scorn. Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan missed the subsequent penalty, forcing the game to go into penalties where Uruguay would win 4–2, sending them into the last four. They played the Netherlands in the semi-finals but were beaten 3–2. For the third-place match, they played Germany, again losing 3–2. This placed Uruguay in fourth place for the tournament, their best result in 40 years. Forlán was awarded the Player of The Tournament.

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Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia match at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia

A year later, they won the Copa America for the first time in 16 years and broke the record for the most successful team in South America. Luis Suárez ended up as the Player of The Tournament.

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Diego Forlán in 2014

Three years later, Uruguay was placed in Group D at the 2014 World Cup alongside Costa Rica, England, and Italy. They were upset by Costa Rica in the opening match, losing 3–1 after taking the lead in the first half. They rebounded with a 2–1 victory over England, in which Suárez scored a brace right after coming back from an injury, and a 1–0 victory over Italy, placing them second in their group and earning a spot in the last 16. During the match against Italy, forward Luis Suárez bit Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini on his left shoulder. Two days after the match, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee banned Suárez for nine international matches, the longest such ban in World Cup history, exceeding the eight-match ban handed to Italy's Mauro Tassotti for breaking the nose of Spain's Luis Enrique in 1994.[16][17][18] Suárez was also banned from taking part in any football-related activity (including entering any stadium) for four months and fined CHF100,000 (approx. £65,700/€82,000/US$119,000).[16][17][19] In the round of 16, Uruguay played Colombia but were beaten 2–0, eliminating them from the tournament.

At the 2015 and 2016 Copa América, Uruguay, missing banned striker Luis Suárez, were eliminated in the quarter-finals and group stages respectively.

After a successful World Cup qualifying campaign, finishing second, Uruguay made it to the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Uruguay won its group after three victories, and advanced to the quarter-finals after a 2–1 win over Portugal.[20][21] However, they were eliminated 2–0 in the quarter-finals by the eventual champions France.

At the 2022 World Cup, Uruguay was drawn into Group H with Portugal, Ghana and South Korea. They started the tournament with a 0–0 draw against South Korea, before they fell to a 2–0 defeat to Portugal. Despite a 2–0 victory against Ghana in their final group game, Uruguay was knocked out of the tournament in the group stages for the first time since 2002, on goals scored following South Korea’s shock 2–1 win against Portugal.[22]

Team image

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Kits and crest

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Uruguay at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, wearing the light blue shirt they have worn since 1910

Between 1901 and 1910, Uruguay wore a variety of different shirts during its matches. The first shirt worn was Albion F.C.'s kit, in the unofficial debut of the national team against Argentina in 1901.[23] It was followed by a variety of shirts, including a solid green one and even a shirt with the colours of the Artigas flag.

On 10 April 1910, now-defunct club River Plate defeated Argentine side Alumni 2–1. That day River Plate wore its alternate jersey, a light blue one due to the home jersey was similar to Alumni's.[24] Ricardo LeBas proposed Uruguay to wear a light blue jersey as a tribute to the victory of River Plate over Alumni. This was approved by president of the Uruguayan Association, Héctor Gómez.[25] The light blue (Celeste) jersey debuted in a Copa Lipton match against Argentina on 15 August 1910.[26]

The red shirt that was used in some previous away strips was first used at the 1935 South American championship, held in Santa Beatriz in Peru, which Uruguay won. It was not worn again (except for a 1962 FIFA World Cup match, against Colombia[27]) until 1991, when it was officially adopted as the away jersey.[28]

Uruguay displays four stars in its emblem. This is unique in world football as two of the stars represent the gold medals received at the 1924 and 1928 Summer Olympics, which are the only editions recognised by FIFA as senior world championships.[29][30][31] In 2021, after a FIFA employee contacted PUMA about modifying the team's crest, FIFA reconfirmed and approved once again the use of all four stars on the shirt.[32]

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1902–03[note 4]
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1905–07[note 5]
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1908–10[note 6]
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1910–present[note 7]

Kit sponsorship

More information Kit supplier, Period ...
Kit supplier Period
West Germany Adidas 1974–1982
France Le Coq Sportif 1983–1986
Germany Puma 1987–1991
Italy Ennerre 1992–1998
Uruguay Covadonga 1999–2001
Italy L-Sporto 2002–2004
Germany Uhlsport 2004–2006
Germany Jako 2006–2007
Germany Puma 2007–2023
Uruguay In-House 2024
United States Nike[35] 2024–
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Home stadium

Since 1930, Uruguay have played their home games at the Estadio Centenario in the Uruguayan capital Montevideo. The stadium was built as a celebration of the centenary of Uruguay's first constitution, and had a capacity of 90,000 when first fully opened.[36] The stadium hosted several matches in the 1930 World Cup, including the final, which was watched by a crowd of 93,000.[37]

Rivalries

Argentina

First played in 1902, the "Clasico de Rio de la Plata" with Argentina is the oldest international derby in world football outside of the UK. Both teams have played in historically significant matches, such as the two world finals of 1928 and the inaugural World Cup final in 1930. They also disputed 8 South American Championship title deciders between 1916–1967. Although Argentina has an overall better head to head record, Uruguay have a better tally when it comes to international title deciders with 10 wins and 1 loss.

Brazil

Uruguay vs. Brazil dates back to the 1916 South American Championship. Both teams have since competed in several Copa America title deciders and the iconic 1950 World Cup final match, where Uruguay lifted their second FIFA World Cup in front of a world record crowd in Maracana. The only other time they met in a World Cup was the 1970 World Cup semi-final where Brazil won 3–1 in Guadalajara. Since the 1980s, the two sides met in several title deciders, such as the 1980 World Champions' Gold Cup final (won by Uruguay), and the 1983, 1989, 1995 and 1999 Copa América finals. Uruguay would win the 1983 and 1995 editions, while Brazil won in 1989 and 1999. Also in the 1990s, in a decisive World Cup qualifier, Brazil eliminated Uruguay in Maracana from qualifying for USA 1994. Since the 2000s, they have met mostly in the Copa América, as well as the regularly scheduled World Cup qualifiers.

Results and fixtures

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The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2024

23 March Non-FIFA Friendly Basque Country  1–1  Uruguay Bilbao, Spain
20:00 UTC+1
  • Djaló 44'
Report
Stadium: Estadio San Mamés
26 March Friendly Ivory Coast  2–1  Uruguay Lens, France
20:30 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Stade Bollaert-Delelis
Referee: Ruddy Buquet (France)
5 June Friendly Mexico  0–4  Uruguay Denver, United States
19:00 UTC−6 Report
Stadium: Empower Field at Mile High
Attendance: 57,852
Referee: Oshane Nation (Jamaica)
23 June 2024 Copa América GS Uruguay  3–1  Panama Miami Gardens, United States
21:00 UTC−4
Report
Stadium: Hard Rock Stadium
Attendance: 33,425
Referee: Piero Maza (Chile)
27 June 2024 Copa América GS Uruguay  5–0  Bolivia East Rutherford, United States
21:00 UTC−4 Report Stadium: MetLife Stadium
Attendance: 48,033
Referee: Juan Benitez (Paraguay)
1 July 2024 Copa América GS United States  0–1  Uruguay Kansas City, United States
20:00 UTC−5 Report Stadium: Arrowhead Stadium
Attendance: 55,460
Referee: Kevin Ortega (Peru)
10 July 2024 Copa América SF Uruguay  0–1  Colombia Charlotte, United States
20:00 UTC−4 Report
Stadium: Bank of America Stadium
Attendance: 70,644
Referee: César Ramos (Mexico)
13 July 2024 Copa América 3rd place Canada  2–2
(3–4 p)
 Uruguay Charlotte, United States
20:00 UTC−4
Report
Stadium: Bank of America Stadium
Attendance: 24,386
Referee: Alexis Herrera (Venezuela)
Penalties
6 September 2026 World Cup qualification Uruguay  0–0  Paraguay Montevideo, Uruguay
20:30 UTC−3 Report Stadium: Estadio Centenario
Attendance: 47,741
Referee: Darío Herrera (Argentina)
10 September 2026 World Cup qualification Venezuela  0–0  Uruguay Maturín, Venezuela
18:00 UTC−4 Report Stadium: Estadio Monumental
Attendance: 50,000
Referee: Raphael Claus (Brazil)
11 October 2026 World Cup qualification Peru  1–0  Uruguay Lima, Peru
20:30 UTC−5
Report Stadium: Estadio Nacional
Attendance: 43,000
Referee: Facundo Tello (Argentina)
15 October 2026 World Cup qualification Uruguay  0–0  Ecuador Montevideo, Uruguay
20:30 UTC−3 Report Stadium: Estadio Centenario
Attendance: 27,112
Referee: Cristian Garay (Chile)
15 November 2026 World Cup qualification Uruguay  3–2  Colombia Montevideo, Uruguay
21:00 UTC−3
Report
Stadium: Estadio Centenario
Attendance: 33,400
Referee: Kevin Ortega (Peru)
19 November 2026 World Cup qualification Brazil  1–1  Uruguay Salvador, Brazil
21:45 UTC−3
Report Stadium: Arena Fonte Nova
Attendance: 41,511
Referee: Piero Maza (Chile)

2025

21 March 2026 World Cup qualification Uruguay  v  Argentina Montevideo, Uruguay
20:30 UTC−3 Report Stadium: Estadio Centenario
Referee: Juan Gabriel Benítez (Paraguay)
25 March 2026 World Cup qualification Bolivia  v  Uruguay El Alto, Bolivia
16:00 UTC−4 Report Stadium: Estadio Municipal de El Alto
Referee: Augusto Aragón (Ecuador)

Coaching staff

Current personnel

As of 27 June 2024[38]
More information Position, Name ...
Position Name
Head coach Argentina Marcelo Bielsa
Assistant coaches Argentina Pablo Quiroga
Chile Diego Reyes
Goalkeeping coach Uruguay Enzo Ferrari
Fitness coaches Uruguay Diego Estavillo
Uruguay Santiago Ferro
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Coaching history

Players

Current squad

The following 24 players are called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Colombia and Brazil on 15 and 19 November 2024 respectively.[40]
Caps and goals correct as of 19 November 2024, after the match against Brazil.

More information No., Pos. ...
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Sergio Rochet (1993-03-23) 23 March 1993 (age 31) 31 0 Brazil Internacional
12 1GK Franco Israel (2000-04-22) 22 April 2000 (age 24) 2 0 Portugal Sporting CP
23 1GK Santiago Mele (1997-09-06) 6 September 1997 (age 27) 4 0 Colombia Atlético Junior

2 2DF José María Giménez (captain) (1995-01-20) 20 January 1995 (age 30) 92 8 Spain Atlético Madrid
3 2DF Marcelo Saracchi (1998-04-23) 23 April 1998 (age 26) 9 0 Argentina Boca Juniors
13 2DF Guillermo Varela (1993-03-24) 24 March 1993 (age 31) 21 0 Brazil Flamengo
14 2DF José Luis Rodríguez (1997-03-14) 14 March 1997 (age 27) 3 0 Brazil Vasco da Gama
16 2DF Mathías Olivera (1997-10-31) 31 October 1997 (age 27) 26 2 Italy Napoli
18 2DF Juan Rodríguez (2005-05-30) 30 May 2005 (age 19) 0 0 Uruguay Peñarol
22 2DF Nicolás Marichal (2001-03-17) 17 March 2001 (age 23) 3 0 Russia Dynamo Moscow
2DF Santiago Bueno (1998-11-09) 9 November 1998 (age 26) 6 0 England Wolverhampton Wanderers

4 3MF Nicolás Fonseca (1998-10-19) 19 October 1998 (age 26) 4 0 Mexico León
5 3MF Manuel Ugarte (2001-04-11) 11 April 2001 (age 23) 28 1 England Manchester United
6 3MF Rodrigo Bentancur (1997-06-25) 25 June 1997 (age 27) 67 3 England Tottenham Hotspur
15 3MF Federico Valverde (vice-captain) (1998-07-22) 22 July 1998 (age 26) 67 8 Spain Real Madrid
20 3MF Maximiliano Araújo (2000-02-15) 15 February 2000 (age 25) 20 3 Portugal Sporting CP
3MF Nahitan Nández (1995-12-28) 28 December 1995 (age 29) 65 0 Saudi Arabia Al-Qadsiah

7 4FW Rodrigo Aguirre (1994-10-01) 1 October 1994 (age 30) 2 1 Mexico América
9 4FW Darwin Núñez (1999-06-24) 24 June 1999 (age 25) 33 13 England Liverpool
10 4FW Brian Rodríguez (2000-05-20) 20 May 2000 (age 24) 26 4 Mexico América
11 4FW Facundo Pellistri (2001-12-20) 20 December 2001 (age 23) 32 2 Greece Panathinaikos
17 4FW Cristian Olivera (2002-04-17) 17 April 2002 (age 22) 11 0 Brazil Grêmio
19 4FW Luciano Rodríguez (2003-07-16) 16 July 2003 (age 21) 4 0 Brazil Bahia
21 4FW Facundo Torres (2000-04-13) 13 April 2000 (age 24) 19 1 Brazil Palmeiras
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Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up to the Uruguay squad in the past twelve months.

More information Pos., Player ...
Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Randall Rodríguez (2003-11-29) 29 November 2003 (age 21) 0 0 Argentina Vélez Sarsfield 2024 Copa América PRE

DF Santiago Mouriño (2002-02-13) 13 February 2002 (age 23) 0 0 Spain Alavés v.  Ecuador, 15 October 2024
DF Sebastián Cáceres (1999-08-18) 18 August 1999 (age 25) 19 0 Mexico América v.  Venezuela, 10 September 2024
DF Lucas Olaza (1994-07-21) 21 July 1994 (age 30) 7 0 Russia Krasnodar v.  Venezuela, 10 September 2024
DF Agustín Sant'Anna (1997-07-27) 27 July 1997 (age 27) 0 0 Brazil Red Bull Bragantino v.  Venezuela, 10 September 2024
DF Tomás Viera (2006-03-18) 18 March 2006 (age 18) 0 0 Uruguay Nacional v.  Venezuela, 10 September 2024
DF Matías Viña (1997-11-09) 9 November 1997 (age 27) 41 1 Brazil Flamengo 2024 Copa América
DF Ronald Araújo (1999-03-07) 7 March 1999 (age 25) 20 1 Spain Barcelona 2024 Copa América SUS
DF Bruno Méndez (1999-09-10) 10 September 1999 (age 25) 7 0 Mexico Toluca v.  Basque Country, 23 March 2024

MF Giorgian de Arrascaeta (1994-06-01) 1 June 1994 (age 30) 53 10 Brazil Flamengo v.  Ecuador, 15 October 2024
MF Nicolás de la Cruz (1997-06-01) 1 June 1997 (age 27) 32 5 Brazil Flamengo v.  Ecuador, 15 October 2024
MF Emiliano Martínez (1999-08-17) 17 August 1999 (age 25) 4 0 Brazil Palmeiras v.  Ecuador, 15 October 2024
MF Facundo Bernal (2003-08-21) 21 August 2003 (age 21) 0 0 Brazil Fluminense v.  Ecuador, 15 October 2024
MF Marco Oroná (2005-08-06) 6 August 2005 (age 19) 0 0 Unattached v.  Ecuador, 15 October 2024
MF Lucas Sanabria (2003-12-26) 26 December 2003 (age 21) 0 0 United States LA Galaxy v.  Ecuador, 15 October 2024
MF Tiago Palacios (2001-03-28) 28 March 2001 (age 23) 0 0 Argentina Estudiantes v.  Venezuela, 10 September 2024
MF Lucas Pino (2005-10-30) 30 October 2005 (age 19) 0 0 Uruguay Montevideo City Torque v.  Venezuela, 10 September 2024
MF César Araújo (2001-04-02) 2 April 2001 (age 23) 1 0 United States Orlando City 2024 Copa América PRE
MF Matías Vecino (1991-08-24) 24 August 1991 (age 33) 70 6 Italy Lazio v.  Basque Country, 23 March 2024 RET
MF Rodrigo Zalazar (1999-08-12) 12 August 1999 (age 25) 2 2 Portugal Braga v.  Basque Country, 23 March 2024

FW Matías Abaldo (2004-04-02) 2 April 2004 (age 20) 0 0 Uruguay Defensor Sporting v.  Ecuador, 15 October 2024
FW Joaquín Lavega (2005-02-03) 3 February 2005 (age 20) 0 0 Brazil Fluminense v.  Ecuador, 15 October 2024
FW Pablo Suárez (2005-11-14) 14 November 2005 (age 19) 0 0 Uruguay Montevideo Wanderers v.  Ecuador, 15 October 2024
FW Miguel Merentiel (1996-02-24) 24 February 1996 (age 29) 1 0 Argentina Boca Juniors v.  Venezuela, 10 September 2024
FW Luis Suárez (1987-01-24) 24 January 1987 (age 38) 143 69 United States Inter Miami v.  Paraguay, 6 September 2024 RET
FW Agustín Canobbio (1998-10-01) 1 October 1998 (age 26) 13 1 Brazil Fluminense 2024 Copa América
FW Brian Ocampo (1999-06-25) 25 June 1999 (age 25) 1 0 Spain Cádiz 2024 Copa América
FW Federico Viñas (1998-06-30) 30 June 1998 (age 26) 2 1 Spain Real Oviedo 2024 Copa América INJ
FW Ignacio Laquintana (1999-02-01) 1 February 1999 (age 26) 0 0 Brazil Red Bull Bragantino v.  Ivory Coast, 26 March 2024

Notes
  • INJ = Withdrew due to injury
  • PRE = Preliminary squad
  • RET = Retired from the national team
  • SUS = Serving suspension
  • WD = Player withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue.
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Individual records

As of 19 November 2024, after the match against Brazil.[41]
Players in bold are still active with Uruguay.

Most appearances

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Diego Godín is Uruguay's most capped player with 161 appearances.
More information Rank, Player ...
Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1Diego Godín16182005–2022
2Luis Suárez143692007–2024
3Edinson Cavani136582008–2022
4Fernando Muslera13302009–2022
5Maxi Pereira12532005–2018
6Martín Cáceres11642007–2022
7Diego Forlán112362002–2014
8Cristian Rodríguez110112003–2018
9Diego Lugano9592003–2014
10José María Giménez9282013–present
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Top goalscorers

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Luis Suárez is Uruguay's top scorer with 69 goals.
More information Rank, Player ...
Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1Luis Suárez (list)691430.482007–2024
2 Edinson Cavani581360.432008–2022
3 Diego Forlán361120.322002–2014
4Héctor Scarone31510.611917–1930
5Ángel Romano28690.411913–1927
6Óscar Míguez27390.691950–1958
7Sebastián Abreu26700.371996–2012
8Pedro Petrone24280.861923–1930
9 Fernando Morena22530.421971–1983
Carlos Aguilera22640.341982–1997
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Competitive record

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FIFA World Cup

  Champions    Runners-up    Third place     Fourth place      Tournament played fully or partially on home soil  

More information FIFA World Cup record, Qualification record ...
FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad Pos Pld W D L GF GA
Uruguay 1930 Champions 1st 4 4 0 0 15 3 Squad Qualified as hosts
Italy 1934 Refused to participate Qualified as defending champions
France 1938 Refused to participate
Brazil 1950 Champions 1st 4 3 1 0 15 5 Squad Qualified automatically
Switzerland 1954 Fourth place 4th 5 3 0 2 16 9 Squad Qualified as defending champions
Sweden 1958 Did not qualify 2nd 4 2 1 1 4 6
Chile 1962 Group stage 13th 3 1 0 2 4 6 Squad 1st 2 1 1 0 3 2
England 1966 Quarter-finals 7th 4 1 2 1 2 5 Squad 1st 4 4 0 0 11 2
Mexico 1970 Fourth place 4th 6 2 1 3 4 5 Squad 1st 4 3 1 0 5 0
West Germany 1974 Group stage 13th 3 0 1 2 1 6 Squad 1st 4 2 1 1 6 2
Argentina 1978 Did not qualify 2nd 4 1 2 1 5 4
Spain 1982 2nd 4 1 2 1 5 5
Mexico 1986 Round of 16 16th 4 0 2 2 2 8 Squad 1st 4 3 0 1 6 4
Italy 1990 16th 4 1 1 2 2 5 Squad 1st 4 3 0 1 7 2
United States 1994 Did not qualify 3rd 8 4 2 2 10 7
France 1998 7th 16 6 3 7 18 21
South Korea Japan 2002 Group stage 26th 3 0 2 1 4 5 Squad 5th 20 8 6 6 22 14
Germany 2006 Did not qualify 5th 20 7 7 6 24 29
South Africa 2010 Fourth place 4th 7 3 2 2 11 8 Squad 5th 20 7 7 6 30 21
Brazil 2014 Round of 16 12th 4 2 0 2 4 6 Squad 5th 18 8 5 5 30 25
Russia 2018 Quarter-finals 5th 5 4 0 1 7 3 Squad 2nd 18 9 4 5 32 20
Qatar 2022 Group stage 20th 3 1 1 1 2 2 Squad 3rd 18 8 4 6 22 22
Canada Mexico United States 2026 Qualification in progress TBD 12 5 5 2 17 9
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030 Qualified as commemorative match hosts Qualified as commemorative match hosts
Saudi Arabia 2034 To be determined To be determined
Total 2 Titles 14/22 59 25 13 21 89 76 184 82 51 51 257 195
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*Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.

Copa América

More information South American Championship / Copa América record, Year ...
South American Championship / Copa América record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad
Argentina 1916Champions1st321061 Squad
Uruguay 1917Champions1st330090 Squad
Brazil 1919Runners-up2nd421175 Squad
Chile 1920Champions1st321092 Squad
Argentina 1921Third place3rd310234 Squad
Brazil 1922Third place3rd421131 Squad
Uruguay 1923Champions1st330061 Squad
Uruguay 1924Champions1st321081 Squad
Argentina 1925Withdrew
Chile 1926Champions1st4400172 Squad
Peru 1927Runners-up2nd3201153 Squad
Argentina 1929Third place3rd310246 Squad
Peru 1935Champions1st330061 Squad
Argentina 1937Third place3rd52031114 Squad
Peru 1939Runners-up2nd4301135 Squad
Chile 1941Runners-up2nd4301101 Squad
Uruguay 1942Champions1st6600212 Squad
Chile 1945Fourth place4th6303146 Squad
Argentina 1946Fourth place4th5203119 Squad
Ecuador 1947Third place3rd7502218 Squad
Brazil 1949Sixth place6th72141420 Squad
Peru 1953Third place3rd6312156 Squad
Chile 1955Fourth place4th52121212 Squad
Uruguay 1956Champions1st541093 Squad
Peru 1957Third place3rd64021512 Squad
Argentina 1959Sixth place6th62041514 Squad
Ecuador 1959Champions1st4310131 Squad
Bolivia 1963Withdrew
Uruguay 1967Champions1st5410132 Squad
1975Semifinals3rd210113 Squad
1979Group stage6th412155 Squad
1983Champions1st8521126 Squad
Argentina 1987Champions1st220020 Squad
Brazil 1989Runners-up2nd7403113 Squad
Chile 1991Group stage5th413043 Squad
Ecuador 1993Quarter-finals6th412155 Squad
Uruguay 1995Champions1st6420114 Squad
Bolivia 1997Group stage9th310222 Squad
Paraguay 1999Runners-up2nd612349 Squad
Colombia 2001Fourth place4th622277 Squad
Peru 2004Third place3rd63211210 Squad
Venezuela 2007Fourth place4th622289 Squad
Argentina 2011Champions1st633093 Squad
Chile 2015Quarter-finals7th411223 Squad
United States 2016Group stage11th310244 Squad
Brazil 2019Quarter-finals6th422072 Squad
Brazil 20215th522142 Squad
United States 2024Third place3rd6321114 Squad
Total15 Title46/482121154057421226
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CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions

More information CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions record, Year ...
CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
France 1985Runners-up2nd100102
Argentina 1993Did not qualify
England 2022
TotalRunners-up1/3100102
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FIFA Confederations Cup

More information FIFA Confederations Cup record, Year ...
FIFA Confederations Cup record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad
Saudi Arabia 1992 Did not qualify
Saudi Arabia 1995
Saudi Arabia 1997 Fourth place 4th 5 3 0 2 8 6 Squad
Mexico 1999 Did not qualify
South Korea Japan 2001
France 2003
Germany 2005
South Africa 2009
Brazil 2013 Fourth place 4th 5 2 1 2 14 7 Squad
Russia 2017 Did not qualify
Total Fourth place 2/10 10 5 1 4 22 13
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Olympic Games

More information Olympic Games record, Year ...
Olympic Games record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad
France 1900Only club teams participated
United States 1904
United Kingdom 1908Not an IOC member
Sweden 1912
Belgium 1920
France 1924Gold medal1st5500202 Squad
Netherlands 1928Gold medal1st5410125 Squad
Nazi Germany 1936Withdrew[42]
United Kingdom 1948Did not participate
Finland 1952
Australia 1956
Italy 1960Did not qualify
Japan 1964
Mexico 1968
West Germany 1972
Canada 1976Withdrew[43]
Soviet Union 1980Did not qualify
United States 1984
South Korea 1988
Since 1992See Uruguay national under-23 football team
Total2 Gold medals2/1410910327
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Pan American Games

More information Pan American Games record, Year ...
Pan American Games record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
Argentina 1951Did not participate
Mexico 1955
United States 1959
Brazil 1963Fourth place4th410346
Canada 1967Did not participate
Colombia 1971
Mexico 1975Preliminary round11th201112
Puerto Rico 1979Did not enter
Venezuela 1983Gold medal1st440051
United States 1987Did not participate
Cuba 1991
Argentina 1995
Since 1999See Uruguay national under-23 football team
Total1 Gold medal3/1210514109
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Head-to-head record

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Below is a list of all matches Uruguay have played against FIFA recognised teams.[44] Updated as of 19 November 2024.

  Positive Record   Neutral Record   Negative Record

More information Team, Pld ...
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  1. Includes matches against  Czechoslovakia.
  2. Includes matches against  West Germany.
  3. Includes matches against  Soviet Union.
  4. Includes matches against  Yugoslavia and  Serbia and Montenegro.

Honours

Major competitions

Friendly

Awards

Summary

More information Senior Competition, Total ...
Senior Competition1st place, gold medalist(s)2nd place, silver medalist(s)3rd place, bronze medalist(s)Total
FIFA World Cup 2002
Olympic Games 2002
Copa América 1561031
Panamerican Championship 0011
CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions 0101
Total1971137
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See also

Notes

  1. Although the first match recorded by both Argentina and Uruguay was played on 16 May 1901, this is not considered an official game due to the match not being organized by Uruguay's Football Association but by Albion FC on its home field in Paso del Molino.[2][3][4][5]
  2. After 1988, the tournament has been restricted to squads with no more than 3 players over the age of 23, and these matches are not regarded as part of the national team's record, nor are caps awarded.
  3. Albion F.C. shirt worn in the first match (unofficial) vs. Argentina due to the most part of the players were from that club.[2]
  4. Shirt worn in the first official match ever,[33] vs. Argentina in Montevideo in 1902,[23] also worn in a second game in Buenos Aires, 1903.[34]
  5. Model based on the Artigas flag. This uniform was worn (at least) by a Uruguay representatives (Liga Uruguaya v South Africa[23] and Copa Lipton matches 1905–07).[34]
  6. Worn (at least) in the Copa Centenario Revolución de Mayo in 1910.
  7. Worn by first time in a Copa Lipton match on 15 August 1910.[25][24]
  8. Extra edition

References

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