Luis Suarez in attendance for Uruguay vs Cape Verde FIFA World Cup 2026 match
Luis Suarez was not named in Uruguay’s World Cup squad.
Uruguay took on Cape Verde in their second Group H clash in the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on June 21. Legendary striker Luis Suarez was in attendance at the stadium, supporting his nation in the crucial match.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino was also present for this clash.
Suarez was a surprising omission from head coach Marcelo Bielsa’s 26-player roster for the expanded 48-team tournament in North America. The striker, who plays for Inter Miami alongside Lionel Messi in MLS, retired from international football in 2024.
However, despite being 39 years old, he remains a lethal goalscorer. He remains Uruguay’s highest-ever goalscorer with 69 goals in 143 caps, despite not having played for the national team since September 2024.
He has been in good form this season for the Herons, scoring six goals in 11 MLS appearances and also representing his club in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Other than Suarez, there were other former players and managers present to watch the game. Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who is currently the Chief of Global Football Development for FIFA, was in the stands. Also present were former Uruguay internationals Diego Lugano and Diego Godin, along with Hristo Stoichkov.
Also Read: Who is Mikel Oyarzabal? Spain forward who made history vs Saudi Arabia in FIFA World Cup 2026
Uruguay under pressure
With Suarez not in the squad, Bielsa has relied on Al-Hilal forward Darwin Nunez as his lone striker. However, the former Liverpool man has found it tough to link up with his teammates. La Celeste limped to a 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia in their opener, with the only goal coming from Maxi Araujo.
With a tough clash against Spain still to come, Bielsa will need to get his strike force firing on all cylinders if they want to secure qualification for the knockout stages after a disappointing outing four years earlier in Qatar.
Why is Luis Suarez not playing for Uruguay in FIFA World Cup 2026?
He retired from international football in 2024 and was not included in Marcelo Bielsa’s 26‑man squad for the tournament.
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Sushruta has spent over two years covering football, with a particular focus on Indian and international competitions. Alongside football, he has reported on a variety of sports, bringing curiosity and perspective to every story. When he’s not following the action, he can usually be found binge-watching movies or getting lost in a good book.