14
WC Appearances
including 2026
Champion
Best Result
all-time
2 🏆
Titles
World Cup wins
#10
FIFA Ranking
April 2026 (approx.)
About Uruguay
Uruguay, two-time World Cup champions (1930, 1950) and one of South America's most storied footballing nations, arrive at 2026 under the mercurial Marcelo Bielsa with a squad blending youth and experience. Liverpool's Darwin Núñez provides explosive forward threat, while Real Madrid's Federico Valverde - one of the world's best box-to-box midfielders - gives the Celeste genuine quality throughout. Group H against Spain, Saudi Arabia, and Cape Verde is challenging but entirely manageable for a side of Uruguay's pedigree. La Celeste's legendary fighting spirit - their semi-final run at South Africa 2010 still lives long in memory - makes them one of the tournament's most compelling storylines.
Team Base Camp
🇲🇽 Mexico
Base camp
Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo
La Celeste base on the Caribbean coast at the Mayakoba complex. The AUF prefers seclusion plus climate-acclimatisation for hot-weather Group H venues in Mexico City and Monterrey, with a short flight inland for each match.
Per FIFA regulations (§18.3), Uruguay stays at this base camp for the entire group stage and travels to each match venue one day before kickoff (and returns the same night or the next day).
Distance to each group-stage match
Straight-line distance from Playa del Carmen to each match stadium. Actual travel adds airport time on flights.
Key Players
Sergio Rochet
Mathías Olivera
Nicolás de la Cruz
Facundo Pellistri
Rodrigo Aguirre
Head Coach
Marcelo Bielsa
2026 Group
Group H
Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup
All times shown are local to the stadium
World Cup History
| Year | Stage Reached | |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Group Stage | |
| 2018 | Round of 16 | |
| 2014 | Round of 16 | |
| 2010 | 4th Place | 🥉 |
| 2006 | Group Stage | |
| 2002 | Group Stage | |
| 1990 | Round of 16 | |
| 1986 | Round of 16 | |
| 1974 | 4th Place | 🥉 |
| 1970 | 4th Place | 🥉 |
| 1966 | Quarterfinal | |
| 1954 | 4th Place | 🥉 |
| 1950 | Champion | 🏆 |
| 1930 | Champion | 🏆 |
14 appearances total · Includes all World Cups as Uruguay
Uruguay World Cup 2026 FAQ
What group is Uruguay in for the 2026 World Cup?+
Uruguay is in Group H of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, alongside Spain, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde.
Who is the manager of Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup?+
Marcelo Bielsa manages Uruguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
What is Uruguay's FIFA ranking?+
Uruguay is ranked #10 in the FIFA World Rankings heading into the 2026 World Cup.
How many World Cups has Uruguay played in?+
Uruguay has appeared in 14 FIFA World Cups including 2026. Their best result is Champion, and they have won the World Cup 2 times.
When does Uruguay play in the 2026 World Cup?+
Uruguay's 2026 World Cup group stage matches: June 15 vs Saudi Arabia; June 21 vs Cape Verde; June 26 vs Spain. Knockout matches are determined by group stage results.
Who are Uruguay's key players for the 2026 World Cup?+
Key players to watch for Uruguay include Sergio Rochet, Mathías Olivera, Nicolás de la Cruz, Facundo Pellistri, Rodrigo Aguirre.
Where is Uruguay's base camp for the 2026 World Cup?+
Uruguay will be based in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo (Mexico), training at Mayakoba Training Center Cancun. Per FIFA regulations, the team stays at this base camp throughout the group stage and travels to match venues one day before each game.