Uruguay national football team

The Uruguay national football team (Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Uruguay) represents Uruguay in international men's football, and is controlled 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).

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Uruguay women's national football team.

Uruguay
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)La Celeste (The Sky Blue)
Los Charrúas (The Charrúas)
AssociationUruguayan Football Association
ConfederationCONMEBOL (South America)
Head coachMarcelo Bielsa
CaptainFederico Valverde
Most capsDiego Godín (161)
Top scorerLuis Suárez (68)
Home stadiumEstadio Centenario
FIFA codeURU
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 17 Decrease 1 (21 September 2023)[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
Appearances45 (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)
FIFA Confederations Cup
Appearances2 (first in 1997)
Best resultFourth place (1997, 2013)
Medal record
FIFA World Cup
Gold medal – first place1930 UruguayTeam
Gold medal – first place1950 BrazilTeam
Copa América
Gold medal – first place1916 ArgentinaTeam
Gold medal – first place1917 UruguayTeam
Gold medal – first place1920 ChileTeam
Gold medal – first place1923 UruguayTeam
Gold medal – first place1924 UruguayTeam
Gold medal – first place1926 ChileTeam
Gold medal – first place1935 PeruTeam
Gold medal – first place1942 UruguayTeam
Gold medal – first place1956 UruguayTeam
Gold medal – first place1959 EcuadorTeam
Gold medal – first place1967 UruguayTeam
Gold medal – first place1983 South AmericaTeam
Gold medal – first place1987 ArgentinaTeam
Gold medal – first place1995 UruguayTeam
Gold medal – first place2011 ArgentinaTeam
Silver medal – second place1919 BrazilTeam
Silver medal – second place1927 PeruTeam
Silver medal – second place1939 PeruTeam
Silver medal – second place1941 ChileTeam
Silver medal – second place1989 BrazilTeam
Silver medal – second place1999 ParaguayTeam
Bronze medal – third place1921 ArgentinaTeam
Bronze medal – third place1922 BrazilTeam
Bronze medal – third place1929 ArgentinaTeam
Bronze medal – third place1937 ArgentinaTeam
Bronze medal – third place1947 ColombiaTeam
Bronze medal – third place1953 PeruTeam
Bronze medal – third place1957 PeruTeam
Bronze medal – third place2004 PeruTeam
Olympic Games[note 2]
Gold medal – first place1924 ParisTeam
Gold medal – first place1928 AmsterdamTeam

Regarded to be one of the greatest footballing nations of all time, Uruguay has won the Copa América 15 times being tied with Argentina for the most titles in the history of the tournament. Uruguay won their most recent title in 2011. Additionally, Uruguay are holders of four FIFA recognized World Championships. The team has won the FIFA World Cup twice, including when they hosted the first World Cup in 1930, defeating in the final Argentina, 4–2. Their second title came in 1950, upsetting in the final match host Brazil 2–1, which had the highest attendance for a football match ever. Uruguay has also won gold medals at the Olympic football tournament twice, in 1924 and 1928.

History

The golden era
Uruguay before its first official match v Argentina, 20 July 1902
The team that won its second gold medal at the 1928 Summer Olympics

Although the first match ever recorded by an Uruguayan side was played on 16 May 1901 against Argentina, this is not considered an official game due to the match not having been organized by Uruguay's Football Association but rather by Albion F.C. in its home field in Paso del Molino. The Uruguayan side had nine players from that club and the remainder from Nacional.[2] The match considered the first official game played by Uruguay was held in the same venue, on 20 July 1902 against Argentina.[3] Argentina defeated the Uruguayan side by 6–0 in front of 8,000 spectators.[4][5] Uruguay line-up was: Enrique Sardeson; Carlos Carve Urioste, Germán Arímalo; Miguel Nebel (c), Alberto Peixoto, Luis Carbone; Bolívar Céspedes, Gonzalo Rincón, Juan Sardeson, Ernesto Boutón Reyes, Carlos Céspedes.[6][7] Prior to 1916, Uruguay played more than 30 matches, of which all but one were against Argentina. The inaugural Copa America provided Uruguay with more varied opposition. Victories over Chile and Brazil, along with a tie against Argentina, enabled Uruguay to win the tournament. The following year Uruguay hosted the competition, and retained the title by winning every game. The 1919 Copa América saw Uruguay's first defeat 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.

In 1924, the Uruguay team traveled to Paris to become the first South American team to compete in the Olympic Games. In contrast to the physical style of the European teams of the era, Uruguay played a style based around short passes,[8] and won every game, defeating Switzerland 3–0 in the gold medal match. In the 1928 Summer Olympics, Uruguay went to Amsterdam to defend their title, again winning the gold medal after defeating Argentina 2–1 in the replay of the final (the first match was a draw after extra time).

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 first World Cup, held in 1930, the centenary of Uruguay's first constitution. During the World Cup, Uruguay won all its matches, and converted a 1–2 halftime deficit to a 4–2 victory against Argentina at the Estadio Centenario. Due to the refusal of some European teams to participate in the first World Cup, the Uruguayan Football Association urged other countries to reciprocate by boycotting the 1934 World Cup played in Italy. 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.

1950–2009
The team that beat Brazil in the decisive match of the 1950 FIFA World Cup to win Uruguay's second FIFA World Cup

Uruguay again won the World Cup in 1950, beating hosts Brazil in one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history. The decisive match was at the Maracanã Stadium in Brazil. Uruguay came from behind to beat the host nation in a match which would become known as the Maracanazo. Many Brazilians had to be treated for shock after the event, such was the surprise of Uruguay's victory.[9]

Rodolfo Rodríguez raises the Mundialito trophy won in January 1981

After their fourth-place finish in the 1954 World Cup, the team had mixed performances and after the fourth-place finish in 1970, their dominance, quality and performance dropped. They were no longer a world football power and failed to qualify for the World Cup on five occasions in the last nine competitions. They reached an all-time low and at one time ranked 76th in the FIFA World Rankings.

2010–present

In 2010, however, a new generation of footballers, led by Luis Suárez, Diego Forlán and Edinson Cavani, formed a team considered to be Uruguay's best in the last four decades, catching international attention after finishing fourth in the 2010 World Cup. Uruguay opened the tournament with a goalless draw against France, followed by defeats of South Africa (3–0) in 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. Diego Forlan was awarded the Player of The Tournament.

Uruguay v 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. In the 2014 World Cup Uruguay was placed in Group D alongside Costa Rica, England, and Italy. They were upset by Costa Rica in the opening match, losing 3–1 despite 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.[10][11][12] 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).[10][11][13] 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.[14][15] However, they were eliminated 2–0 in the quarter-finals by the eventual champions France.

At the 2022 FIFA 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. Although despite a 0–2 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.[16]

Team image

Kits and crest
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Uruguay national football team kits.
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 the Albion F.C. one, in the unofficial debut of the national team v Argentina in 1901.[17] It was followed by a variety of shirts, including a solid green one and even a shirt with the colours of the flag of Artigas.

On 10 April 1910, now-defunct club River Plate defeated Argentine side Alumni 2–1, being the first time an Uruguayan team beat that legendary team. That day River Plate wore its alternate jersey, a light blue one due to the home jersey was similar to Alumni's.[18] 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.[19] The light blue (Celeste) jersey debuted in a Copa Lipton match v Argentina on 15 August 1910. Uruguay won 3–1.[20]

The red shirt that was used in some previous away strips was first used at the 1935 Copa América, held in Santa Beatriz in Peru, which Uruguay won. It was not worn again (except for a 1962 FIFA World Cup match, against Colombia[21]) until 1991, when it was officially adopted as the away jersey.[22]

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.[23][24][25] 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.[26]

1901 [note 3]
1902–03 [note 4]
1905–07 [note 5]
1908–10 [note 6]
1910–present [note 7]

Kit sponsorship
Kit supplier Period
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 Puma 2006–2023
Uruguay national team fans at 2014 FIFA World Cup

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.[29] The stadium hosted several matches in the 1930 World Cup, including the final, which was watched by a crowd of 93,000.[30]

Argentina
Main article: Argentina–Uruguay football rivalry

Uruguay has a long-standing rivalry with Argentina, that came into existence when they beat their South American neighbors 4–2 in the first World Cup final, held in Montevideo in 1930.

Brazil
Main article: Brazil–Uruguay football rivalry

Uruguay has an old rivalry with their South American neighbors. Their best known match was played at the 1950 World Cup in Brazil where Uruguay won 2–1 in front of almost 200,000 spectators at the Maracanã Stadium, thus winning the competition and earning their second World Cup title.

Australia
Main article: Australia–Uruguay football rivalry

Uruguay has an almost 50-year rivalry with AFC (and former OFC) member Australia. The rivalry, which dates back to 1974, has seen the two teams face each other in qualification play-offs, with each team winning one playoff each to progress to the FIFA World Cup.

Results and fixtures
Main article: Uruguay national football team results (2020–present)

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

2022
24 November 2022 (2022-11-24) 2022 FIFA World Cup Uruguay  0–0  South Korea Al Rayyan, Qatar
16:00 AST (UTC+3) Report Stadium: Education City Stadium
Attendance: 41,663
Referee: Clément Turpin (France)
28 November 2022 (2022-11-28) 2022 FIFA World Cup Portugal  2–0  Uruguay Lusail, Qatar
22:00 AST (UTC+3)
  • Fernandes 54', 90+3' (pen.)
 Report Stadium: Lusail Iconic Stadium
Attendance: 88,668
Referee: Alireza Faghani (Iran)
2 December 2022 (2022-12-02) 2022 FIFA World Cup Ghana  0–2  Uruguay Al Wakrah, Qatar
18:00 AST (UTC+3) Report
Stadium: Al Janoub Stadium
Attendance: 43,443
Referee: Daniel Siebert (Germany)

2023
24 March 2023 (2023-03-24) 2023 Kirin Challenge Cup Japan  1–1  Uruguay Tokyo, Japan
19:30 UTC+9
Report
Stadium: Japan National Stadium
Attendance: 61,855
Referee: Ko Hyung-jin (South Korea)
28 March 2023 (2023-03-28) Friendly South Korea  1–2  Uruguay Seoul, South Korea
20:00 UTC+9
Report
Stadium: Seoul World Cup Stadium
Attendance: 63,952
Referee: Yudai Yamamoto (Japan)
14 June 2023 (2023-06-14) Friendly Uruguay  4–1  Nicaragua Montevideo, Uruguay
20:30 UTC−3
Report
  • Coronel 90+2'
 Stadium: Estadio Centenario
Referee: Wagner do Nascimento Magalhães (Brazil)
20 June 2023 (2023-06-20) Friendly Uruguay  2–0  Cuba Montevideo, Uruguay
20:30 UTC−3
Report Stadium: Estadio Centenario
Referee: Bráulio da Silva Machado (Brazil)
8 September 2023 2026 World Cup qualification Uruguay  3–1  Chile Montevideo, Uruguay
20:00 UTC−3
Report
Stadium: Estadio Centenario
Attendance: 49,713
Referee: Darío Herrera (Argentina)
12 September 2023 2026 World Cup qualification Ecuador  2–1  Uruguay Quito, Ecuador
16:00 UTC−5
Report
Stadium: Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa
Attendance: 35,613
Referee: Wilton Sampaio (Brazil)
12 October 2023 2026 World Cup qualification Colombia  2–2  Uruguay Barranquilla, Colombia
15:30 UTC−5
Report
Stadium: Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez
Attendance: 43,915
Referee: Piero Maza (Chile)
17 October 2023 2026 World Cup qualification Uruguay  2–0  Brazil Montevideo, Uruguay
21:00 UTC−3
Report Stadium: Estadio Centenario
Attendance: 52,477
Referee: Alexis Herrera (Venezuela)
16 November 2023 2026 World Cup qualification Argentina  v  Uruguay Buenos Aires, Argentina
21:00 UTC−3 Stadium: Más Monumental
21 November 2023 2026 World Cup qualification Uruguay  v  Bolivia Montevideo, Uruguay
20:30 UTC−3 Stadium: Estadio Centenario

2024
September 2024 2026 World Cup qualification Uruguay  v  Paraguay Montevideo, Uruguay
--:-- UTC−3 Stadium: Estadio Centenario
September 2024 2026 World Cup qualification Venezuela  v  Uruguay Venezuela
--:-- UTC−4
October 2024 2026 World Cup qualification Peru  v  Uruguay Lima, Peru
--:-- UTC−5 Stadium: Estadio Nacional
October 2024 2026 World Cup qualification Uruguay  v  Ecuador Montevideo, Uruguay
--:-- UTC−3 Stadium: Estadio Centenario
November 2024 2026 World Cup qualification Uruguay  v  Colombia Montevideo, Uruguay
--:-- UTC−3 Stadium: Estadio Centenario
November 2024 2026 World Cup qualification Brazil  v  Uruguay Brazil
--:-- UTC−3

Coaching staff

Current personnel
As of 14 June 2023[31]
Position Name
Head coach Argentina Marcelo Bielsa
Assistant coaches Argentina Lucas Ouviña
Argentina Pablo Quiroga
Chile Diego Reyes
Goalkeeping coach Uruguay Carlos Nicola
Fitness coach Uruguay Marco Mansulino
Analyst Spain Diego Bermúdez
Logistics Spain Sara Bouzas
Argentina Magalí Conde

Coaching history

Players

Current squad

The following 24 players are called up to the squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Brazil on 12 and 17 October 2023 respectively.[33]

Caps and goals correct as of 17 October 2023, after the match against Brazil.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Sergio Rochet (1993-03-23) 23 March 1993 16 0 Brazil Internacional
12 1GK Franco Israel (2000-04-22) 22 April 2000 1 0 Portugal Sporting CP
23 1GK Santiago Mele (1997-09-06) 6 September 1997 3 0 Colombia Atlético Junior
2 2DF Sebastián Cáceres (1999-08-18) 18 August 1999 7 0 Mexico América
3 2DF Bruno Méndez (1999-09-10) 10 September 1999 6 0 Brazil Corinthians
4 2DF Ronald Araújo (1999-03-07) 7 March 1999 14 0 Spain Barcelona
16 2DF Mathías Olivera (1997-10-31) 31 October 1997 15 1 Italy Napoli
17 2DF Matías Viña (1997-11-09) 9 November 1997 33 0 Italy Sassuolo
19 2DF Santiago Bueno (1998-11-09) 9 November 1998 2 0 England Wolverhampton Wanderers
22 2DF Joaquín Piquerez (1998-08-24) 24 August 1998 13 0 Brazil Palmeiras
2DF Lucas Olaza (1994-07-21) 21 July 1994 1 0 Russia Krasnodar
5 3MF Matías Vecino (1991-08-24) 24 August 1991 69 5 Italy Lazio
7 3MF Nicolás de la Cruz (1997-06-01) 1 June 1997 23 5 Argentina River Plate
8 3MF Nahitan Nández (1995-12-28) 28 December 1995 53 0 Italy Cagliari
10 3MF Giorgian de Arrascaeta (1994-06-01) 1 June 1994 43 10 Brazil Flamengo
13 3MF Maximiliano Araújo (2000-02-15) 15 February 2000 6 1 Mexico Toluca
15 3MF Federico Valverde (captain) (1998-07-22) 22 July 1998 53 6 Spain Real Madrid
20 3MF Manuel Ugarte (2001-04-11) 11 April 2001 12 0 France Paris Saint-Germain
6 4FW Cristian Olivera (2002-04-17) 17 April 2002 2 0 United States Los Angeles FC
9 4FW Darwin Núñez (1999-06-24) 24 June 1999 20 5 England Liverpool
11 4FW Facundo Pellistri (2001-12-20) 20 December 2001 16 0 England Manchester United
14 4FW Agustín Canobbio (1998-10-01) 1 October 1998 8 1 Brazil Athletico Paranaense
18 4FW Brian Rodríguez (2000-05-20) 20 May 2000 21 4 Mexico América
21 4FW Facundo Torres (2000-04-13) 13 April 2000 14 1 United States Orlando City

Recent call-ups

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

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Randall Rodríguez (2003-11-29) 29 November 2003 0 0 Uruguay Peñarol v.  Cuba, 20 June 2023
GK Gastón Olveira (1993-04-21) 21 April 1993 0 0 Paraguay Olimpia v.  South Korea, 28 March 2023
GK Guillermo de Amores (1994-10-19) 19 October 1994 0 0 Uruguay Peñarol v.  South Korea, 28 March 2023 PRE
GK Fernando Muslera (1986-06-16) 16 June 1986 133 0 Turkey Galatasaray 2022 FIFA World Cup
GK Sebastián Sosa (1986-08-19) 19 August 1986 1 0 Mexico Atlético Morelia 2022 FIFA World Cup
DF José Luis Rodríguez (1997-03-14) 14 March 1997 2 0 Brazil Vasco da Gama v.  Ecuador, 12 September 2023
DF Guillermo Varela (1993-03-24) 24 March 1993 14 0 Brazil Flamengo v.  Cuba, 20 June 2023
DF Mauricio Lemos (1995-12-28) 28 December 1995 3 0 Brazil Atlético Mineiro v.  Cuba, 20 June 2023
DF Sebastián Boselli (2003-12-04) 4 December 2003 0 0 Argentina River Plate v.  Cuba, 20 June 2023
DF Facundo González (2003-07-06) 6 July 2003 0 0 Italy Sampdoria v.  Cuba, 20 June 2023
DF Santiago Mouriño (2002-09-13) 13 September 2002 0 0 Spain Zaragoza v.  Cuba, 20 June 2023
DF Mateo Ponte (2003-05-24) 24 May 2003 0 0 Brazil Botafogo v.  Cuba, 20 June 2023
DF Sebastián Coates (1990-10-07) 7 October 1990 51 2 Portugal Sporting CP v.  South Korea, 28 March 2023
DF Giovanni González (1994-09-20) 20 September 1994 17 0 Spain Mallorca v.  South Korea, 28 March 2023
DF Agustín Rogel (1997-10-17) 17 October 1997 1 0 Germany Hertha BSC v.  South Korea, 28 March 2023 PRE
DF Federico Pereira (2000-02-24) 24 February 2000 0 0 Uruguay Liverpool Montevideo v.  South Korea, 28 March 2023 PRE
DF Diego Godín (1986-02-16) 16 February 1986 161 8 Retired 2022 FIFA World Cup
DF Martín Cáceres (1987-04-07) 7 April 1987 116 4 United States LA Galaxy 2022 FIFA World Cup
DF José Giménez (1995-01-20) 20 January 1995 81 8 Spain Atlético Madrid 2022 FIFA World Cup
DF Damián Suárez (1988-04-27) 27 April 1988 7 0 Spain Getafe 2022 FIFA World Cup PRE
DF Gastón Álvarez (2000-03-24) 24 March 2000 0 0 Spain Getafe 2022 FIFA World Cup PRE
DF Leandro Cabrera (1991-06-17) 17 June 1991 0 0 Spain Espanyol 2022 FIFA World Cup PRE
DF Alfonso Espino (1992-01-05) 5 January 1992 0 0 Spain Rayo Vallecano 2022 FIFA World Cup PRE
MF Felipe Carballo (1996-10-04) 4 October 1996 6 0 Brazil Grêmio v.  Ecuador, 12 September 2023
MF Emiliano Martínez (1999-08-17) 17 August 1999 2 0 Denmark Midtjylland v.  Ecuador, 12 September 2023
MF Rodrigo Zalazar (1999-08-12) 12 August 1999 1 2 Portugal Braga v.  Cuba, 20 June 2023
MF Fabricio Díaz (2003-02-03) 3 February 2003 0 0 Qatar Al-Gharafa v.  Cuba, 20 June 2023
MF Diego Hernández (2000-06-22) 22 June 2000 0 0 Brazil Botafogo v.  South Korea, 28 March 2023
MF Lucas Torreira (1996-02-11) 11 February 1996 40 0 Turkey Galatasaray v.  South Korea, 28 March 2023 PRE
MF Rodrigo Bentancur (1997-06-25) 25 June 1997 54 1 England Tottenham Hotspur 2022 FIFA World Cup
MF Mauro Arambarri (1995-09-30) 30 September 1995 12 0 Spain Getafe 2022 FIFA World Cup PRE
MF Fernando Gorriarán (1994-11-27) 27 November 1994 7 0 Mexico UANL 2022 FIFA World Cup PRE
MF César Araújo (2001-04-02) 2 April 2001 0 0 United States Orlando City 2022 FIFA World Cup PRE
FW Maxi Gómez (1996-08-14) 14 August 1996 32 4 Spain Cádiz v.  Ecuador, 12 September 2023
FW Diego Rossi (1998-03-05) 5 March 1998 7 1 United States Columbus Crew v.  Cuba, 20 June 2023
FW Matías Arezo (2002-11-21) 21 November 2002 3 1 Uruguay Peñarol v.  Cuba, 20 June 2023
FW Thiago Borbas (2002-04-07) 7 April 2002 2 0 Brazil Red Bull Bragantino v.  Cuba, 20 June 2023
FW Anderson Duarte (2004-03-23) 23 March 2004 0 0 Uruguay Defensor Sporting v.  Cuba, 20 June 2023
FW Luciano Rodríguez (2003-07-16) 16 July 2003 0 0 Uruguay Liverpool Montevideo v.  Cuba, 20 June 2023
FW Federico Viñas (1998-06-30) 30 June 1998 0 0 Mexico León v.  Cuba, 20 June 2023
FW Jonathan Rodríguez (1993-07-06) 6 July 1993 31 3 Mexico América v.  South Korea, 28 March 2023
FW Brian Ocampo (1999-06-25) 25 June 1999 1 0 Spain Cádiz v.  South Korea, 28 March 2023 PRE
FW Luis Suárez (1987-01-24) 24 January 1987 137 68 Brazil Grêmio 2022 FIFA World Cup
FW Edinson Cavani (1987-02-14) 14 February 1987 136 58 Argentina Boca Juniors 2022 FIFA World Cup
FW Agustín Álvarez (2001-05-19) 19 May 2001 4 1 Italy Sassuolo 2022 FIFA World Cup PRE
FW David Terans (1994-06-11) 11 June 1994 2 0 Mexico Pachuca 2022 FIFA World Cup PRE
FW Martín Satriano (2001-02-20) 20 February 2001 1 0 France Brest 2022 FIFA World Cup PRE
FW Nicolás López (1993-10-01) 1 October 1993 0 0 Mexico León 2022 FIFA World Cup PRE

PRE Preliminary squad
INJ Injured
RET Retired

Player records
Main article: List of Uruguay international footballers
As of 2 December 2022, after the match against Ghana[34]
Players in bold are still active with Uruguay.

Most appearances
Diego Godín is Uruguay's most capped player with 161 appearances.
Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1Diego Godín16182005–2022
2Luis Suárez137682007–present
3Edinson Cavani136582008–present
4Fernando Muslera13302009–present
5Maxi Pereira12532005–2018
6Martín Cáceres11642007–present
7Diego Forlán112362002–2014
8Cristian Rodríguez110112003–2018
9Diego Lugano9592003–2014
10Egidio Arévalo9002006–2017

Top goalscorers
Luis Suárez is Uruguay's top scorer with 68 goals.
Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1Luis Suárez (list)681370.52007–present
2 Edinson Cavani581360.432008–present
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

Competitive record
Main article: Uruguay national football team records and statistics

FIFA World Cup
Main article: Uruguay at the FIFA World Cup

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

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 To be determined TBD 4 2 1 1 8 5
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030[note 8] Qualified as co-hosts Qualified as co-hosts
Total 2 Titles 14/22 59 25 13 21 89 76 — — 176 79 47 50 248 191
*Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.

Copa América
Main article: Uruguay at the Copa América
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
1975Fourth place4th210113 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 2024Qualified
Total15 Titles45/472061123856410222—

FIFA Confederations Cup
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 —

CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions
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

Olympic Games
Olympic Games record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad
France 1900Did not participate
United States 1904
United Kingdom 1908
Sweden 1912
Belgium 1920
France 1924Gold medal1st5500202 Squad
Netherlands 1928Gold medal1st5410125 Squad
Nazi Germany 1936Withdrew[36]
United Kingdom 1948Did not qualify
Finland 1952
Australia 1956
Italy 1960
Japan 1964
Mexico 1968
West Germany 1972
Canada 1976Withdrew[37]
Soviet Union 1980Did not qualify
United States 1984
South Korea 1988
Since 1992See Uruguay national under-23 football team
Total2 Gold medals3/1910910327—

Pan American Games
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

Head-to-head record

Below is a list of all matches Uruguay have played against FIFA recognised teams.[38] Updated as of 17 October 2023.

  Positive Record   Neutral Record   Negative Record

  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 titles

Awards

South American Tournaments

Friendlies

Pan American team
Senior Competition1st place, gold medalist(s)2nd place, silver medalist(s)3rd place, bronze medalist(s)Total
World Cup 2002
Olympic Games 2002
Confederations Cup 0000
Copa América 156930
Panamerican Championship 0011
CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions 0101
Total1971036

See also

Notes
  1. Although the first match ever recorded by both, Argentina and Uruguay sides, 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 in 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. Shirt of Albion F.C., worn in the first match (unofficial) v Argentina due to the most part of the players were from that club.[2]
  4. Shirt worn in the first official match ever,[27] v Argentina in Montevideo in 1902,[17] also worn in a second game in Buenos Aires, 1903.[28]
  5. Model based on the flag of Artigas. This uniform was worn (at least) by a Uruguay representatives (Liga Uruguaya v South Africa[17] and Copa Lipton matches 1905–07).[28]
  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.[19][18]
  8. Additional matches are scheduled to be played in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the first world cup, however they are not considered to be official hosts of the tournament.[35]
  9. Extra edition

References
  1. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 21 September 2023. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  2. ""Historia del Fútbol Uruguayo" at Deportes en Uruguay". Archived from the original on 4 October 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  3. Historias, curiosidades y estadísticas de la Selección, tras sus "primeros" 900 partidos Archived 16 April 2021 at the Wayback Machine, El Gráfico, 4 July 2012
  4. Argentina national team archive Archived 20 August 2012 at the Wayback Machine on the RSSSF
  5. Uruguay - international results Archived 30 April 2004 at the Wayback Machine on the RSSSF
  6. "Uruguay 0-6 Argentina" Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine on Fútbol Nostalgia
  7. Argentina-Uruguay: el clásico con más partidos del mundo Archived 11 May 2021 at the Wayback Machine by Oscar Barnade on Clarín, 18 November 2019
  8. "Football's debt to Uruguay". BBC Sport. 8 April 2002. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  9. "Football, football, football". UruguayNow. Retrieved 13 May 2010.
  10. De Menezes, Jack (26 June 2014). "Luis Suarez banned: Fifa hand striker record nine-game ban AND a four month football ban for biting Giorgio Chiellini in biggest ever World Cup suspension". The Independent. Archived from the original on 12 July 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  11. "Luis Suárez banned for four months for biting in World Cup game". The Guardian. 26 June 2014. Archived from the original on 6 July 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  12. "FIFA Suspends and Fines Suarez for 9 Games and 4 Months After Biting Player". ABC News. 26 June 2014.
  13. "Luis Suárez suspended for nine matches and banned for four months from any football-related activity". FIFA. 26 June 2014. Archived from the original on 3 July 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  14. "Uruguay beat ten-man Russia to win Group A". Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  15. "Uruguay beats Portugal to end Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup run". CNN. 30 June 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  16. "Uruguay beats Ghana in grudge rematch but is eliminated from World Cup after South Korea shocks Portugal". CNN. 2 December 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  17. Así ha evolucionado la camiseta de la Selección Uruguaya Archived 13 July 2019 at the Wayback Machine on MKT Registrado, 11 April 2018
  18. 100 años de la camiseta celeste Archived 13 July 2019 at the Wayback Machine on El Observador, 11 April 2011
  19. La historia de la Celeste Archived 8 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine on Montevideo Wanderers website
  20. Origen de la camiseta celeste Archived 13 July 2019 at the Wayback Machine on Montevideo Antiguo
  21. ""Historical football kits: 1962 World Cup" at Historical Kits website". Archived from the original on 20 April 2013. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
  22. ""Camisetas alternativas", La Selección website". Archived from the original on 6 October 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
  23. Perez, Alvaro. "No doubts exist. Uruguay are four time FIFA World Champions". La Celeste Blog. Archived from the original on 15 March 2013. Retrieved 12 June 2020. ; citing the book 100 Años de Gloria: La Verdadera history del Futbol Uruguayo
  24. "FIFA InfoPlus: Early years 1924 - 1930" (PDF). FIFA.com. FIFA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 November 2007. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  25. Orígenes de la Copa Mundial de la FIFA (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 November 2012.
  26. "FIFA confirms the use of all 4 stars". El Observador. 30 September 2021.
  27. "Historias, curiosidades y estadísticas de la Selección, tras sus "primeros" 900 partidos" Archived 29 May 2018 at the Wayback Machine, El Gráfico, 4 July 2012
  28. Argentina y Uruguay history Archived 13 July 2019 at the Wayback Machine on Viejos Estadios website
  29. David Goldblatt (2008). The Ball Is Round: A Global History of Soccer. Penguin. p. 249. ISBN 978-1-59448-296-0.
  30. FIFA World Cup Origin Archived 25 March 2007 at the Wayback Machine, FIFA Media Release. Retrieved on 16 October 2006.
  31. "Cuerpo técnico de la selección mayor de Uruguay" (in Spanish). 25 May 2023. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  32. "Oscar Tabárez Uruguay's national team manager achieves world record". Marcapais Uruguay.
  33. "URUGUAY - CONVOCADOS ELIMINATORIAS". www.auf.org.uy (in Spanish). AUF. 4 September 2023. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  34. "Uruguay – Record International Players". Archived from the original on 24 February 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  35. FIFA. "FIFA Council takes key decisions on FIFA World Cup™ editions in 2030 and 2034". FIFA. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  36. "Southamerican Championship 1935". RSSSF. 23 November 2007. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  37. "Games of the XXI. Olympiad – Football Qualifying Tournament". RSSSF. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  38. "World Football Elo Ratings: Uruguay".
  39. "Copa Círculo de la Prensa". RSSSF. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  40. "Copa Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores". RSSSF. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  41. "Copa Confraternidad Rioplatense". RSSSF. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  42. "Copa Artigas". RSSSF. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  43. "Copa Juan Pinto Durán". RSSSF. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  44. "La Copa Juan Parra del Riego" (in Spanish). LaRed21. 31 May 2004. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  45. "Copa Ministerio de Vivienda". RSSSF. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  46. Roy, Abhishek (14 August 2007). "Revisiting some of the memorable moments of the Nehru Cup". TwoCircles.net. IANS. Archived from the original on 3 March 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  47. "Uruguay 2 vs 0 Inglaterra" (in Spanish). AUF Sitio Web Oficial. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  48. "Miami Cup 1986". RSSSF. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  49. "Uruguay national football team 'A' international record: Tiger Beer Challenge Trophy 2002". 11v11.com. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  50. "Fútbol: Uruguay alza Copa 'Confraternidad Antel' ante Holanda" (in Spanish). UPI Español. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
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