Top three Uruguay players to watch out for against India
Uruguay are ranked 20th in the FIFA global rankings.
Uruguay, who are in a rebuilding phase under their new head coach and former legendary striker Diego Forlán following their group-stage exit at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, have arrived in India to face the Blue Tigers at the VYBK Stadium in Kolkata.
This will be La Celeste’s final fixture of the September–October international break, having already faced Japan and South Korea ahead of their trip to India.
Their opening game ended in a 3–1 defeat to Japan, but Forlán’s side bounced back emphatically in their next outing, thrashing South Korea 4–1.
Their attention now turns to a rejuvenated Indian side that have put in encouraging performances against two World Cup-playing nations during this international window.
This is in stark contrast to the build-up to these fixtures, when the Blue Tigers were widely expected to fail miserably against such formidable opposition. Defying those expectations, India held Panama to a 1–1 draw before suffering a relatively respectable 0–4 defeat to Brazil.
However, the biggest positive for Indian football fans have been the team’s willingness to take the game to the opposition rather than simply sitting back and parking the bus.
Instead, Khalid Jamil’s men have adopted a positive approach, maintaining a compact low block defensively while looking to hurt their opponents through quick transitions whenever they win possession back.
With Indian fans hoping for a positive end to the international window, Uruguay and Diego Forlán will have their own objectives.
The new head coach may look to experiment with his side while aiming to secure a comfortable victory over the Blue Tigers, much like Brazil and Carlo Ancelotti did in their previous outing.
As the Blue Tigers step up their preparations for the upcoming game, let’s take a look at three Uruguayan players who could have a major say in how this encounter unfolds.
Ronald Araújo
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Ronald Araújo remains one of Uruguay’s highly rated defenders despite struggling with injuries, limited minutes and inconsistent performances at FC Barcelona in recent years. However, in a bid to rediscover his best form, he has joined Liverpool in the Premier League, hoping for a fresh start and a turnaround in his career.
Primarily a center-back, Araújo can also operate at right-back, thanks to his excellent recovery pace and ability to defend effectively in one-on-one situations.
He is dominant in aerial duels and poses a threat at both ends of the pitch, using his physicality and positional awareness to avert danger in his own box while also contributing goals from set-pieces in the final third. However, he can occasionally be prone to lapses in concentration, which opponents could look to exploit.
With Manvir Singh showcasing his impressive hold-up play and ability to win aerial duels against both Brazil and Panama, the individual battle between the Indian forward and Araújo will be one to watch in this encounter.
Rodrigo Bentancur
Rodrigo Bentancur, one of the most experienced midfielders in Uruguay’s current national team set-up, with around 80 appearances for his country, will be instrumental in determining how his side dictates the tempo of the game from the middle of the park.
A versatile box-to-box midfielder, Bentancur can operate in various roles across the midfield. He is technically gifted on the ball, defensively reliable when it comes to winning duels and making crucial recoveries and remains calm and composed even when pressed by opponents.
His ability to play line-breaking passes and create opportunities in the final third also makes him a valuable asset in attack.
Bentancur captained Uruguay in both of their matches so far during this international break, leading his side from midfield while playing a crucial role in linking the defence with the attack.
His performance in the middle of the park could prove decisive against an Indian side that have shown encouraging signs of defensive organisation and quick transitions in its recent outings.
Darwin Núñez
Darwin Núñez, the focal point of Uruguay’s attack, heads into the game against India in good form after scoring a brace in the recent victory over South Korea.
The goals ended a frustrating run of 17 consecutive international appearances without finding the back of the net, giving the striker a timely boost ahead of the clash against the Blue Tigers.
A traditional number nine with impressive pace and aerial prowess, Núñez excels with his off-the-ball movement and ability to drag defenders away from their positions to create space for himself and his teammates.
He also leads Uruguay’s press with relentless energy and is never afraid to test the goalkeeper whenever an opportunity presents itself.
However, his finishing and overall conversion rate remain areas of concern for Diego Forlán, who was a lethal striker during his playing days.
With India demonstrating against both Brazil and Panama how compact and organised they can be defensively, Núñez will need to be clinical in front of goal and convert his chances if Uruguay are to secure a comfortable victory.
Where are Uruguay ranked in the FIFA world rankings?
Uruguay are currently ranked 20th in the FIFA world rankings.
When is India vs Uruguay scheduled to kick off?
The match between India and Brazil will take place on 06th October at 19:30 IST at the VYBK Stadium in Kolkata.
Which club does Ronald Araújo play for?
Ronald Araújo currently plays for Premier League side Liverpool following his loan move away from FC Barcelona this summer.
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