Uruguay national football team

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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)
AssociationUruguayan Football Association
ConfederationCONMEBOL (South America)
Head coachÓscar Tabárez
CaptainDiego Godín
Most capsDiego Godín (148)
Top scorerLuis Suárez (64)
Home stadiumEstadio Centenario
FIFA codeURU
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 12 Increase 1 (16 September 2021)[1]
Highest2 (June 2012)
Lowest76 (December 1998)
First international
 Uruguay 0–6 Argentina 
(Montevideo, Uruguay; 20 Jul 1902)[note 1]
Biggest win
 Uruguay 9–0 Bolivia 
(Lima, Peru; 9 November 1927)
Biggest defeat
 Uruguay 0–6 Argentina 
(Montevideo, Uruguay; 20 July 1902)
World Cup
Appearances13 (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)
FIFA Confederations Cup
Appearances2 (first in 1997)
Best resultFourth place (1997, 2013)
Medal record

The Uruguay national football team (Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Uruguay) represents Uruguay in international football, and is controlled by the Uruguayan Football Association, the governing body for football in Uruguay. The current head coach is Óscar Tabárez. The Uruguayan team is commonly referred to as La Celeste (The Sky Blue).

Uruguay have won the Copa América 15 times, alongside Argentina the most titles in the history of that tournament. Uruguay's most recent title being the 2011 edition. The team has won the FIFA World Cup twice, including the first World Cup in 1930 as hosts, defeating Argentina 4–2 in the final. Their second title came in 1950, upsetting host Brazil 2–1 in the final match, which has the highest attendance for a football match ever. Uruguay have 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 was not organized by Uruguay's Football Association but 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.[8] 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.[9][10] 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.[citation needed]

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,[11] 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.[12]

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.[13][14][15] 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).[13][14][16] 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.[17][18] However, they were eliminated 2–0 in the quarter-finals by the eventual champions France.

Team image[]

Kits and crest[]

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.[19] Then Uruguay worn a variety of shirts, including a solid green one and even a shirt with the colors 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.[20] 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.[21] The light blue (Celeste) jersey debuted in a Copa Lipton match v Argentina on August 15, 1910. Uruguay won 3–1.[22]

The red jersey 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[23]) until 1991, when it was officially adopted as the away jersey.[24]

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.[25][26][27] However, in 2021, FIFA reached out to PUMA about removing two of the stars above crest in time for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.[28]

1901 [note 2]
1902–03 [note 3]
1905–07 [note 4]
1908–10 [note 5]
1910–present [note 6]

Kit sponsorship[]

Kit supplier Period
Germany Adidas 1974–1982
France Le Coq Sportif 1983–1986
Germany Puma 1987–1991
Italy Ennerre 1992–1998
Uruguay Meta 1999–2001
Italy L-Sporto 2002–2004
Germany Uhlsport 2004–2006
Germany Puma 2006–present
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.[31] The stadium hosted several matches in the 1930 World Cup, including the final, which was watched by a crowd of 93,000.[32] Crowds for Uruguay's home matches vary greatly depending on the importance of the match and the quality of the opposition.[clarification needed] World Cup qualifying matches often attract crowds of between 50,000 and 73,000.

Uruguay's stadium Estadio Centenario is one of the biggest stadiums in the world over 100m wide and 100m long.

Rivalries[]

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. As a response, the following day saw an angry mob threw stones at the Uruguayan consulate in the Argentinian capital Buenos Aires.

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 which was held in Brazil where they defeated the host with the result 2–1 in front of almost 200,000 spectators at the Maracanã Stadium, thus winning the competition and earning their second World Cup title.

Results and fixtures[]

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

  Win   Draw   Loss

2020[]

8 October 2020 (2020-10-08) 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Uruguay  2–1  Chile Montevideo, Uruguay
19:45 UTC−3
Report
Stadium: Estadio Centenario
Referee: (Paraguay)
13 October 2020 (2020-10-13) 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Ecuador  4–2  Uruguay Quito, Ecuador
16:00 UTC−5
Report
Stadium: Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado
Referee: Wilmar Roldán (Colombia)
13 November 2020 (2020-11-13) 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Colombia  0–3  Uruguay Barranquilla, Colombia
15:30 UTC−5 Report
Stadium: Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez
Referee: Fernando Rapallini (Argentina)
17 November 2020 (2020-11-17) 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Uruguay  0–2  Brazil Montevideo, Uruguay
20:00 UTC−3 Report
  • Arthur Goal 33'
  • Richarlison Goal 45'
 Stadium: Estadio Centenario
Referee: Roberto Tobar (Chile)

2021[]

3 June 2021 (2021-06-03) 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Uruguay  0–0  Paraguay Montevideo, Uruguay
19:00 UTC−3 Report Stadium: Estadio Centenario
Attendance: 0
Referee: Wilmar Roldán (Colombia)
8 June 2021 (2021-06-08) 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Venezuela  0–0  Uruguay Caracas, Venezuela
18:30 UTC−4 Report Stadium: Estadio Olímpico de la UCV
Attendance: 0
Referee: (Brazil)
18 June 2021 (2021-06-18) 2021 Copa América Argentina  1–0  Uruguay Brasília, Brazil
21:00 UTC−3
Report Stadium: Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha
Attendance: 0
Referee: Wilton Sampaio (Brazil)
21 June 2021 (2021-06-21) 2021 Copa América Uruguay  1–1  Chile Cuiabá, Brazil
17:00 UTC−4
Report
  • Vargas Goal 26'
 Stadium: Arena Pantanal
Attendance: 0
Referee: Raphael Claus (Brazil)
24 June 2021 (2021-06-24) 2021 Copa América Bolivia  0–2  Uruguay Cuiabá, Brazil
17:00 UTC−4 Report
  • Quinteros Goal 40' (o.g.)
  • Cavani Goal 79'
 Stadium: Arena Pantanal
Attendance: 0
Referee: Alexis Herrera (Venezuela)
28 June 2021 (2021-06-28) 2021 Copa América Uruguay  1–0  Paraguay Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
21:00 UTC−3
  • Cavani Goal 21' (pen.)
 Report Stadium: Estádio Olímpico Nilton Santos
Attendance: 0
Referee: Raphael Claus (Brazil)
3 July 2021 2021 Copa América Uruguay  0–0
(2–4 p)		  Colombia Brasília, Brazil
19:00 UTC−3 Report Stadium: Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha
Attendance: 0
Referee: Jesús Gil Manzano (Spain)
Penalties
2 September 2021 (2021-09-02) 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Peru  1–1  Uruguay Lima, Peru
20:00 UTC−5
Report
  • De Arrascaeta Goal 29'
 Stadium: Estadio Nacional
Referee: Néstor Pitana (Argentina)
5 September 2021 (2021-09-05) 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Uruguay  4–2  Bolivia Montevideo, Uruguay
19:00 UTC−3
Report
  • Moreno Goal 59', 84' (pen.)
 Stadium: Estadio Campeón del Siglo
Referee: Eber Aquino (Paraguay)
9 September 2021 (2021-09-09) 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Uruguay  1–0  Ecuador Montevideo, Uruguay
19:30 UTC−3
Report Stadium: Estadio Campeón del Siglo
Referee: Anderson Daronco (Brazil)
7 October 2021 (2021-10-07) 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Uruguay  v  Colombia Montevideo, Uruguay
20:00 UTC−3 Stadium: Estadio Gran Parque Central
10 October 2021 (2021-10-10) 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Argentina  v  Uruguay Buenos Aires, Argentina
20:30 UTC−3 Stadium: Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti
14 October 2021 (2021-10-14) 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Brazil  v  Uruguay Manaus, Brazil
20:30 UTC−4 Stadium: Arena da Amazônia
11 November 2021 (2021-11-11) 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Uruguay  v  Argentina Montevideo, Uruguay
Stadium: Estadio Centenario
16 November 2021 (2021-11-16) 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Bolivia  v  Uruguay La Paz, Bolivia
Stadium: Estadio Hernando Siles

2022[]

27 January 2022 (2022-01-27) 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Paraguay  v  Uruguay Asunción, Paraguay
Stadium: Estadio Defensores del Chaco
1 February 2022 (2022-02-01) 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Uruguay  v  Venezuela Montevideo, Uruguay
Stadium: Estadio Centenario
24 March 2022 (2022-03-24) 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Uruguay  v  Peru Montevideo, Uruguay
Stadium: Estadio Centenario
29 March 2022 (2022-03-29) 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Chile  v  Uruguay Santiago, Chile
Stadium: Estadio Nacional

Coaching staff[]

Current personnel[]

Position Name
Head coach Uruguay Óscar Tabárez
Assistant coach Uruguay Mario Rebollo
Assistant coach
Goalkeeping coach 		Uruguay Celso Otero
Fitness coach Uruguay José Oscar Herrera

Past head coaches[]

Players[]

Current squad[]

The following 30 players were named in the preliminary squad for FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Colombia, Argentina and Brazil on 7, 10 and 14 October 2021 respectively.[34]
Caps and goals correct as of 9 September 2021, after the match against Ecuador.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Fernando Muslera (1986-06-16) 16 June 1986 (age 35) 126 0 Turkey Galatasaray
1GK Martín Campaña (1989-05-29) 29 May 1989 (age 32) 9 0 Saudi Arabia Al-Batin
2DF Diego Godín (captain) (1986-02-16) 16 February 1986 (age 35) 148 8 Italy Cagliari
2DF Martín Cáceres (1987-04-07) 7 April 1987 (age 34) 107 4 Italy Cagliari
2DF José Giménez (1995-01-20) 20 January 1995 (age 26) 70 8 Spain Atlético Madrid
2DF Sebastián Coates (1990-10-07) 7 October 1990 (age 30) 41 1 Portugal Sporting CP
2DF Matías Viña (1997-11-09) 9 November 1997 (age 23) 18 0 Italy Roma
2DF Ronald Araújo (1999-03-07) 7 March 1999 (age 22) 3 0 Spain Barcelona
2DF Joaquín Piquerez (1998-08-24) 24 August 1998 (age 23) 3 0 Brazil Palmeiras
2DF Maximiliano Falcón (1997-05-01) 1 May 1997 (age 24) 0 0 Chile Colo-Colo
2DF Yonatthan Rak (1993-08-18) 18 August 1993 (age 28) 0 0 Mexico Tijuana
3MF Matías Vecino (1991-08-24) 24 August 1991 (age 30) 51 3 Italy Internazionale
3MF Nahitan Nández (1995-12-28) 28 December 1995 (age 25) 44 0 Italy Cagliari
3MF Rodrigo Bentancur (1997-06-25) 25 June 1997 (age 24) 41 0 Italy Juventus
3MF Giorgian De Arrascaeta (1994-06-01) 1 June 1994 (age 27) 33 6 Brazil Flamengo
3MF Federico Valverde (1998-07-22) 22 July 1998 (age 23) 32 3 Spain Real Madrid
3MF Lucas Torreira (1996-02-11) 11 February 1996 (age 25) 31 0 Italy Fiorentina
3MF Gastón Pereiro (1995-06-11) 11 June 1995 (age 26) 12 5 Italy Cagliari
3MF Nicolás De La Cruz (1997-06-01) 1 June 1997 (age 24) 9 0 Argentina River Plate
3MF Brian Lozano (1994-02-23) 23 February 1994 (age 27) 8 0 Mexico Santos Laguna
3MF Mauro Arambarri (1995-09-30) 30 September 1995 (age 25) 6 0 Spain Getafe
3MF Fernando Gorriarán (1994-11-27) 27 November 1994 (age 26) 2 0 Mexico Santos Laguna
3MF Manuel Ugarte (2001-04-11) 11 April 2001 (age 20) 1 0 Portugal Sporting CP
4FW Luis Suárez (1987-01-24) 24 January 1987 (age 34) 123 64 Spain Atlético Madrid
4FW Edinson Cavani (1987-02-14) 14 February 1987 (age 34) 123 53 England Manchester United
4FW Jonathan Rodríguez (1993-07-06) 6 July 1993 (age 28) 28 3 Mexico Cruz Azul
4FW Maxi Gómez (1996-08-14) 14 August 1996 (age 25) 22 3 Spain Valencia
4FW Brian Rodríguez (2000-05-20) 20 May 2000 (age 21) 13 3 United States Los Angeles
4FW Darwin Núñez (1999-06-24) 24 June 1999 (age 22) 4 2 Portugal Benfica
4FW David Terans (1994-06-11) 11 June 1994 (age 27) 2 0 Brazil Athletico Paranaense

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 Sergio Rochet (1993-03-23) 23 March 1993 (age 28) 0 0 Uruguay Nacional v.  Ecuador, 9 September 2021
GK Kevin Dawson (1992-02-08) 8 February 1992 (age 29) 0 0 Uruguay Peñarol v.  Bolivia, 30 March 2021 PRE
GK Rodrigo Muñoz (1982-01-22) 22 January 1982 (age 39) 0 0 Paraguay Cerro Porteño v.  Bolivia, 30 March 2021 PRE
GK Yonatan Irrazábal (1988-02-12) 12 February 1988 (age 33) 0 0 Uruguay Rentistas v.  Brazil, 17 November 2020
GK Gastón Olveira (1993-04-21) 21 April 1993 (age 28) 0 0 Paraguay Olimpia v.  Brazil, 17 November 2020
GK Martín Silva (1983-03-25) 25 March 1983 (age 38) 11 0 Paraguay Libertad v.  Brazil, 17 November 2020 INJ
DF Giovanni González (1994-09-20) 20 September 1994 (age 26) 14 0 Uruguay Peñarol v.  Ecuador, 9 September 2021
DF Camilo Cándido (1995-06-02) 2 June 1995 (age 26) 0 0 Uruguay Nacional 2021 Copa América
DF Damián Suárez (1988-04-27) 27 April 1988 (age 33) 0 0 Spain Getafe v.  Venezuela, 8 June 2021 PRE
DF Agustín Oliveros (1998-08-17) 17 August 1998 (age 23) 1 0 Mexico Necaxa v.  Bolivia, 30 March 2021 PRE
DF Federico Pereira (2000-02-24) 24 February 2000 (age 21) 0 0 Uruguay Liverpool Montevideo v.  Bolivia, 30 March 2021 PRE
DF Franco Pizzichillo (1996-01-03) 3 January 1996 (age 25) 0 0 Uruguay Montevideo City Torque v.  Bolivia, 30 March 2021 PRE
DF Alexis Rolín (1989-02-07) 7 February 1989 (age 32) 0 0 Uruguay Rentistas v.  Brazil, 17 November 2020
DF Diego Laxalt (1993-02-07) 7 February 1993 (age 28) 24 0 Russia Dynamo Moscow v.  Ecuador, 13 October 2020 PRE
DF Marcelo Saracchi (1998-04-23) 23 April 1998 (age 23) 4 0 Germany RB Leipzig v.  Ecuador, 13 October 2020 PRE
MF Gabriel Neves (1997-08-11) 11 August 1997 (age 24) 1 0 Brazil São Paulo v.  Brazil, 17 November 2020
FW Agustín Álvarez Martínez (2001-05-19) 19 May 2001 (age 20) 2 1 Uruguay Peñarol v.  Ecuador, 9 September 2021
FW Federico Martínez (1996-02-28) 28 February 1996 (age 25) 1 0 Uruguay Liverpool Montevideo v.  Ecuador, 9 September 2021
FW Facundo Torres (2000-04-13) 13 April 2000 (age 21) 7 0 Uruguay Peñarol 2021 Copa América
FW Brian Ocampo (1999-06-25) 25 June 1999 (age 22) 1 0 Uruguay Nacional 2021 Copa América
FW Ignacio Ramírez (1997-02-01) 1 February 1997 (age 24) 0 0 France Saint-Étienne v.  Venezuela, 8 June 2021
FW Cristhian Stuani (1986-10-12) 12 October 1986 (age 34) 50 8 Spain Girona v.  Venezuela, 8 June 2021 PRE
FW Diego Rossi (1998-03-05) 5 March 1998 (age 23) 0 0 Turkey Fenerbahçe v.  Bolivia, 30 March 2021 PRE

PRE Preliminary squad
INJ Injured

Player records[]

Main article: List of Uruguay international footballers
As of 9 September 2021, after the match against Ecuador.[35]
Players in bold are still active with Uruguay.

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  

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 To be determined In progress
Canada Mexico United States 2026 To be determined
Total 2 Titles 13/21 56 24 12 20 87 74 — — 154 69 42 43 218 164
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

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 1916 Champions 1st 3 2 1 0 6 1 Squad
Uruguay 1917 Champions 1st 3 3 0 0 9 0 Squad
Brazil 1919 Runners-up 2nd 4 2 1 1 7 5 Squad
Chile 1920 Champions 1st 3 2 1 0 9 2 Squad
Argentina 1921 Third place 3rd 3 1 0 2 3 4 Squad
Brazil 1922 Third place 3rd 4 2 1 1 3 1 Squad
Uruguay 1923 Champions 1st 3 3 0 0 6 1 Squad
Uruguay 1924 Champions 1st 3 2 1 0 8 1 Squad
Argentina 1925 Withdrew
Chile 1926 Champions 1st 4 4 0 0 17 2 Squad
Peru 1927 Runners-up 2nd 3 2 0 1 15 3 Squad
Argentina 1929 Third place 3rd 3 1 0 2 4 6 Squad
Peru 1935 Champions 1st 3 3 0 0 6 1 Squad
Argentina 1937 Third place 3rd 5 2 0 3 11 14 Squad
Peru 1939 Runners-up 2nd 4 3 0 1 13 5 Squad
Chile 1941 Runners-up 2nd 4 3 0 1 10 1 Squad
Uruguay 1942 Champions 1st 6 6 0 0 21 2 Squad
Chile 1945 Fourth place 4th 6 3 0 3 14 6 Squad
Argentina 1946 Fourth place 4th 5 2 0 3 11 9 Squad
Ecuador 1947 Third place 3rd 7 5 0 2 21 8 Squad
Brazil 1949 Sixth place 6th 7 2 1 4 14 20 Squad
Peru 1953 Third place 3rd 6 3 1 2 15 6 Squad
Chile 1955 Fourth place 4th 5 2 1 2 12 12 Squad
Uruguay 1956 Champions 1st 5 4 1 0 9 3 Squad
Peru 1957 Third place 3rd 6 4 0 2 15 12 Squad
Argentina 1959 Sixth place 6th 6 2 0 4 15 14 Squad
Ecuador 1959 Champions 1st 4 3 1 0 13 1 Squad
Bolivia 1963 Withdrew
Uruguay 1967 Champions 1st 5 4 1 0 13 2 Squad
South America 1975 Fourth place 4th 2 1 0 1 1 3 Squad
South America 1979 Group stage 6th 4 1 2 1 5 5 Squad
South America 1983 Champions 1st 8 5 2 1 12 6 Squad
Argentina 1987 Champions 1st 2 2 0 0 2 0 Squad
Brazil 1989 Runners-up 2nd 7 4 0 3 11 3 Squad
Chile 1991 Group stage 5th 4 1 3 0 4 3 Squad
Ecuador 1993 Quarter-finals 6th 4 1 2 1 5 5 Squad
Uruguay 1995 Champions 1st 6 4 2 0 11 4 Squad
Bolivia 1997 Group stage 9th 3 1 0 2 2 2 Squad
Paraguay 1999 Runners-up 2nd 6 1 2 3 4 9 Squad
Colombia 2001 Fourth place 4th 6 2 2 2 7 7 Squad
Peru 2004 Third place 3rd 6 3 2 1 12 10 Squad
Venezuela 2007 Fourth place 4th 6 2 2 2 8 9 Squad
Argentina 2011 Champions 1st 6 3 3 0 9 3 Squad
Chile 2015 Quarter-finals 7th 4 1 1 2 2 3 Squad
United States 2016 Group stage 11th 3 1 0 2 4 4 Squad
Brazil 2019 Quarter-finals 6th 4 2 2 0 7 2 Squad
Brazil 2021 Quarter-finals 5th 5 2 2 1 4 2 Squad
Ecuador 2024 Qualified
Total 15 Titles 45/47 206 112 38 56 410 222 —

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 —

Olympic Games[]

Olympic Games record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad
France 1900 Did not participate
United States 1904
United Kingdom 1908
Sweden 1912
Belgium 1920
France 1924 Gold medal 1st 5 5 0 0 20 2 Squad
Netherlands 1928 Gold medal 1st 5 4 1 0 12 5 Squad
Nazi Germany 1936 Withdrew[36]
United Kingdom 1948 Did not qualify
Finland 1952
Australia 1956
Italy 1960
Japan 1964
Mexico 1968
West Germany 1972
Canada 1976 Withdrew[37]
Soviet Union 1980 Did not qualify
United States 1984
Korea 1988
Since 1992 See Uruguay national under-23 football team
Total 2 Gold medals 3/19 10 9 1 0 32 7 —

Pan American Games[]

Pan American Games record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
Argentina 1951 Did not participate
Mexico 1955
United States 1959
Brazil 1963 Fourth place 4th 4 1 0 3 4 6
Canada 1967 Did not participate
Colombia 1971
Mexico 1975 Preliminary round 11th 2 0 1 1 1 2
Puerto Rico 1979 Did not enter
Venezuela 1983 Gold medal 1st 4 4 0 0 5 1
United States 1987 Did not participate
Cuba 1991
Argentina 1995
Since 1999 See Uruguay national under-23 football team
Total 1 Gold medal 3/12 10 5 1 4 10 9

Head-to-head record[]

Below is a list of all matches Uruguay have played against FIFA recognised teams.[38] Updated as of 9 September 2021.

  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[]

Note: Below is a list of achievements by the senior national team

  • FIFA World Cup:
    • Champions (2): 1930, 1950
    • Fourth place: 1954, 1970, 2010
  • South American Championship / Copa América:
  • FIFA Confederations Cup:
    • Fourth place: 1997, 2013
  • Artemio Franchi Trophy:
    • Runners-up: 1985
  • Summer Olympics:
    • Gold medal (2): 1924, 1928
  • Pan American Games
    • Gold medal (1): 1983
    • Fourth place: 1963
  • 1980 Mundialito
    • Gold medal (1): 1981
Competition 1st place, gold medalist(s) 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) Total
World Cup 2 0 0 2
Copa América 15 6 9 30
Confederations Cup 0 0 0 0
Olympic Games 2 0 0 2
Total 19 6 9 34

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. ^ 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]
  3. ^ Shirt worn in the first official match ever,[29] v Argentina in Montevideo in 1902,[19] also worn in a second game in Buenos Aires, 1903.[30]
  4. ^ Model based on the flag of Artigas. This uniform was worn (at least) by a Uruguay representatives (Liga Uruguaya v South Africa[19] and Copa Lipton matches 1905–07).[30]
  5. ^ Worn (at least) in the Copa Centenario Revolución de Mayo in 1910.
  6. ^ Worn by first time in a Copa Lipton match on August 15, 1910.[21][20]
  7. ^ Extra edition

References[]

  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 16 September 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b "Historia del Fútbol Uruguayo" at Deportes en Uruguay
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b Historias, curiosidades y estadísticas de la Selección, tras sus "primeros" 900 partidos, El Gráfico, 4 Jul 2012
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b Argentina national team archive on the RSSSF
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b Uruguay - international results on the RSSSF
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 10 September 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  8. ^ "Historia del Fútbol Uruguayo" at Deportes en Uruguay
  9. ^ "Uruguay 0-6 Argentina" on Fútbol Nostalgia
  10. ^ Argentina-Uruguay: el clásico con más partidos del mundo by Oscar Barnade on Clarín, 18 Nov 2019
  11. ^ "Football's debt to Uruguay". BBC Sport. 8 April 2002. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  12. ^ "Football, football, football". UruguayNow. Retrieved 13 May 2010.
  13. ^ Jump up to: a b 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.
  14. ^ Jump up to: a b "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.
  15. ^ "FIFA Suspends and Fines Suarez for 9 Games and 4 Months After Biting Player". ABC News. 26 June 2014.
  16. ^ "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.
  17. ^ "Uruguay beat ten-man Russia to win Group A". Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  18. ^ "Uruguay beats Portugal to end Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup run". Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  19. ^ Jump up to: a b c Así ha evolucionado la camiseta de la Selección Uruguaya on MKT Registrado, 11 Apr 2018
  20. ^ Jump up to: a b 100 años de la camiseta celeste on El Observador, 11 Apr 2011
  21. ^ Jump up to: a b La historia de la Celeste on Montevideo Wanderers website
  22. ^ Origen de la camiseta celeste on Montevideo Antiguo
  23. ^ "Historical football kits: 1962 World Cup" at Historical Kits website
  24. ^ ""Camisetas alternativas", La Selección website". Archived from the original on 6 October 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
  25. ^ 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
  26. ^ "FIFA InfoPlus: Early years 1924 - 1930" (PDF). FIFA.com. FIFA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 November 2007. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  27. ^ Orígenes de la Copa Mundial de la FIFA (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 November 2012.
  28. ^ "FIFA wants Uruguay to remove two of four 'World Cup' stars on shirt". ESPN. 4 August 2021.
  29. ^ "Historias, curiosidades y estadísticas de la Selección, tras sus "primeros" 900 partidos", El Gráfico, 4 Jul 2012
  30. ^ Jump up to: a b Argentina y Uruguay history on Viejos Estadios website
  31. ^ David Goldblatt (2008). The Ball Is Round: A Global History of Soccer. Penguin. p. 249. ISBN 978-1-59448-296-0.
  32. ^ FIFA World Cup Origin, FIFA Media Release. Retrieved on 16 October 2006.
  33. ^ "Oscar Tabárez Uruguay's national team manager achieves world record". Marcapais Uruguay.
  34. ^ "Reservados del exterior vs. Colombia, Argentina y Brasil". 17 September 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  35. ^ Uruguay – Record International Players
  36. ^ "Southamerican Championship 1935". Rsssf.com. 23 November 2007. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  37. ^ "Games of the XXI. Olympiad – Football Qualifying Tournament". Rsssf.com. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  38. ^ "World Football Elo Ratings: Uruguay".

External links[]

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