Qatar 2022 Team Preview: La Celeste

Written By Uche Dozie

Two-time champions, Uruguay are participating in their 14th FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

They are in Qatar after qualifying from the CONMEBOL qualifiers, finishing third behind Brazil and Argentina.

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It will be another tournament for the team from South America to break a 72-year-old jinx after winning the coveted trophy since 1950.

Finishing in fourth place three times after winning the trophy in 1950 is another puzzle for the team that boasts of 16 Copa America titles needs to unravel.

The Team

A spirited team that plays with grit, tenacity and skill, Uruguay is a solid team defensively conceding just two goals since the beginning of the year.

The Squad

Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera (Galatasaray), Sergio Rochet (Nacional), Sebastian Sosa (Independiente)

Defenders: Jose Maria Gimenez (Atletico Madrid), Sebastian Coates (Sporting CP), Diego Godin (Velez Sarsfield), Martin Caceres (LA Galaxy), Ronald Araujo (Barcelona), Guillermo Varela (Flamengo), Jose Luis Rodriguez (Nacional), Mathias Olivera (Napoli), Matias Vina (Roma)

Midfielders: Lucas Torreira (Galatasaray), Manuel Ugarte (Sporting CP), Matias Vecino (Lazio), Rodrigo Bentancur (Tottenham Hotspur), Federico Valverde (Real Madrid), Facundo Pellistri (Manchester United), Nicolas De La Cruz (River Plate)

Forwards: Agustin Canobbio (Athletico Paranaense), Facundo Torres (Orlando City), Giorgian De Arrascaeta (Flamengo), Maxi Gomez (Trabzonspor), Luis Suarez (Nacional), Edinson Cavani (Valencia), Darwin Nunez (Liverpool).

Coach

Diego Alonso

He built his reputation during five successful years in Mexican football (2014-2019) before David Beckham took him to Inter Miami for the 2020 and 2021 campaigns.

A Coach who plays possession football and prefers 4-4-2 and 4-3-3, with speed and energy on the flanks.

Players To Watch

Federico Valverde

Normally, the first name to pop here should be Luis Suarez and Edison Cavani, but Valverde is the rave of the moment for the team. The 24-year-old has already made 44 appearances for Uruguay, scoring four times, and featured 168 times across five seasons with Real Madrid, scoring 14 goals, eight of which have come this season.

No doubting the experience and expertise of Suarez and Cavani, but the versatility of the debutant who narrowly missed the last World Cup will be crucial.

Darwin Nunez of Liverpool is another interesting play to watch out for. The record breaking signing for Liverpool will be making his debut and will be seeking to add his youthful flare to an experience forward of the Uruguayans.

Expectations

They are always a strong team anytime any day and it will be an abomination to think small of them. Of course, it is expected they go through in a group that has Portugal, Ghana and South Korea and a possible quarter final finish.