Top five players left out of Uruguay’s FIFA World Cup 2026 final squad ft. Olivera & Torres
La Celeste announced the final squad on May 31.
The Uruguay national football team will now be looking to begin their final preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The final list of players to represent La Celeste has now been unveiled.
Top stars like Federico Valverde, Rodrigo Bentancur and Manuel Ugarte have been included. It will be interesting to see their performances on the grandest stage of them all. The upcoming edition of the mega competition is going to take place in Canada, Mexico and the USA.
Ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, the Marcelo Bielsa-led side aren’t going to compete in any friendly encounters. They will head directly to the main event.
La Celeste are placed in Group H along with the likes of Spain, Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia. It is not going to be an easy group stage run for them.
Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2026: Full squad lists for all 48 teams
Top five players left out of the Uruguay squad
| Players | Clubs |
| Facundo Torres | Austin FC |
| Nicolás Fonseca | Real Oviedo |
| Franco Israel | Torino FC |
| Luciano Rodríguez | NEOM SC |
| Cristian Olivera | Esporte Clube Bahia |
Facundo Torres
The 26-year-old winger has been left out of Uruguay’s final squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He has made 22 appearances for his national team and has also scored two goals. Due to the competition for places, Facundo Torres might not have gotten the chance.
Nicolás Fonseca
The defensive midfielder has underperformed this season. Nicolás Fonseca plays for Real Oviedo, who are now demoted back to the Spanish second division. Far more talented options like Manuel Ugarte and Rodrigo Bentancur are right now better options in that position.
Franco Israel
In 10 games for Tornino FC this season, Franco Israel secured four clean sheets. With limited playing time, his chances of getting into the Uruguay national football team were not easy. The goalkeeper has played in two matches for La Celeste.
Marcelo Bielsa has opted for Sergio Rochet, Fernando Muslera and Santiago Mele.
Luciano Rodríguez
Luciano Rodríguez did not perform up to the mark for his club NEOM SC in the Saudi Pro League. In 31 matches, he has scored six goals and has two assists to his name. This might not have been the ideal stats to represent the national team at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Cristian Olivera
The 24-year-old has not been on a top run of form this season. He has only scored two goals and has an assist to his name in 25 matches for Esporte Clube Bahia. Cristian Olivera has appeared 13 times for the Uruguay national football team and hasn’t scored a goal till now.
Will Fede Valverde play in the FIFA World Cup 2026?
Yes, he has been included in the final squad.
Which group is Uruguay in for the FIFA World Cup 2026?
They are placed in Group H.
Who will Uruguay face in the group stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026?
Spain, Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde.
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Dilpreet is a dedicated football writer with a keen eye for World Football. As a proud Real Madrid fan, we believe his work reflects the same ambition and precision. Since joining Khel Now in 2025, he has crafted stories beyond scores, diving into tactics, culture, and emotion. With a strong background in content writing, he blends clarity with creativity, always aiming to bring the beautiful game closer to readers.