Uruguay national football team

The Uruguay national football team (Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Uruguay) represents Uruguay in international men's football, and is controlled by the Uruguayan Football Association, the governing body for football in Uruguay. The national team is commonly referred to as La Celeste (The Sky Blue).

Uruguay
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)La Celeste (The Sky Blue)
Los Charrúas (The Charrúas)
AssociationAsociación Uruguaya de Fútbol (AUF)
ConfederationCONMEBOL (South America)
Head coachMarcelo Bielsa
CaptainJosé María Giménez
Most capsDiego Godín (161)
Top scorerLuis Suárez (68)
Home stadiumEstadio Centenario
FIFA codeURU
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 11 Steady (15 February 2024)[1]
Highest2 (June 2012)
Lowest76 (December 1998)
First international
 Uruguay 0–6 Argentina 
(Montevideo, Uruguay; 20 July 1902)[note 1]
Biggest win
 Uruguay 9–0 Bolivia 
(Lima, Peru; 6 November 1927)
Biggest defeat
 Uruguay 0–6 Argentina 
(Montevideo, Uruguay; 20 July 1902)
World Cup
Appearances14 (first in 1930)
Best resultChampions (1930, 1950)
Copa América
Appearances45 (first in 1916)
Best resultChampions (1916, 1917, 1920, 1923, 1924, 1926, 1935, 1942, 1956, 1959, 1967, 1983, 1987, 1995, 2011)
CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions
Appearances1 (first in 1985)
Best resultRunners-up (1985)
FIFA Confederations Cup
Appearances2 (first in 1997)
Best resultFourth place (1997, 2013)

Regarded to be one of the greatest footballing nations of all time, Uruguay has won the Copa América 15 times being tied with Argentina for the most titles in the history of the tournament. Uruguay won their most recent title in 2011. Additionally, Uruguay are holders of four FIFA recognized World Championships. The team has won the FIFA World Cup twice, including when they hosted the first World Cup in 1930, defeating in the final Argentina, 4–2. Their second title came in 1950, upsetting in the final match host Brazil 2–1, which had the highest attendance for a football match ever. Uruguay has also won gold medals at the Olympic football tournament twice, in 1924 and 1928.

History edit

The golden era edit

 
Uruguay before its first official match v Argentina, 20 July 1902
 
The team that won its second gold medal at the 1928 Summer Olympics

Although the first match ever recorded by an Uruguayan side was played on 16 May 1901 against Argentina, this is not considered an official game due to the match not having been organized by Uruguay's Football Association but rather by Albion F.C. in its home field in Paso del Molino. The Uruguayan side had nine players from that club and the remainder from Nacional.[2] The match considered the first official game played by Uruguay was held in the same venue, on 20 July 1902 against Argentina.[3] Argentina defeated the Uruguayan side by 6–0 in front of 8,000 spectators.[4][5] Uruguay line-up was: Enrique Sardeson; Carlos Carve Urioste, Germán Arímalo; Miguel Nebel (c), Alberto Peixoto, Luis Carbone; Bolívar Céspedes, Gonzalo Rincón, Juan Sardeson, Ernesto Boutón Reyes, Carlos Céspedes.[7][8] Prior to 1916, Uruguay played more than 30 matches, of which all but one were against Argentina. The inaugural Copa America provided Uruguay with more varied opposition. Victories over Chile and Brazil, along with a tie against Argentina, enabled Uruguay to win the tournament. The following year Uruguay hosted the competition, and retained the title by winning every game. The 1919 Copa América saw Uruguay's first defeat in the tournament, a 1–0 defeat in a playoff with Brazil which went to two periods of extra time, the longest Copa América match in history.[citation needed]

In 1924, the Uruguay team traveled to Paris to become the first South American team to compete in the Olympic Games. In contrast to the physical style of the European teams of the era, Uruguay played a style based around short passes,[9] and won every game, defeating Switzerland 3–0 in the gold medal match. In the 1928 Summer Olympics, Uruguay went to Amsterdam to defend their title, again winning the gold medal after defeating Argentina 2–1 in the replay of the final (the first match was a draw after extra time).

 
The team that beat Argentina in the final match of the 1930 FIFA World Cup to win Uruguay's first FIFA World Cup

Following the double Olympic triumph, Uruguay was chosen as the host nation for the first World Cup, held in 1930, the centenary of Uruguay's first constitution. During the World Cup, Uruguay won all its matches, and converted a 1–2 halftime deficit to a 4–2 victory against Argentina at the Estadio Centenario. Due to the refusal of some European teams to participate in the first World Cup, the Uruguayan Football Association urged other countries to reciprocate by boycotting the 1934 World Cup played in Italy. For the 1938 World Cup, France was chosen as host, contrary to a previous agreement to alternate the championships between South America and Europe, so Uruguay again refused to participate.

1950–2009 edit

 
The team that beat Brazil in the decisive match of the 1950 FIFA World Cup to win Uruguay's second FIFA World Cup

Uruguay again won the World Cup in 1950, beating hosts Brazil in one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history. The decisive match was at the Maracanã Stadium in Brazil. Uruguay came from behind to beat the host nation in a match which would become known as the Maracanazo. Many Brazilians had to be treated for shock after the event, such was the surprise of Uruguay's victory.[10]

 
Rodolfo Rodríguez raises the Mundialito trophy won in January 1981

After their fourth-place finish in the 1954 World Cup, the team had mixed performances and after the fourth-place finish in 1970, their dominance, quality and performance dropped. They were no longer a world football power and failed to qualify for the World Cup on five occasions in the last nine competitions. They reached an all-time low and at one time ranked 76th in the FIFA World Rankings.

2010–present edit

In 2010, however, a new generation of footballers, led by Luis Suárez, Diego Forlán and Edinson Cavani, formed a team considered to be Uruguay's best in the last four decades, catching international attention after finishing fourth in the 2010 World Cup. Uruguay opened the tournament with a goalless draw against France, followed by defeats of South Africa (3–0) in and Mexico (1–0) respectively, finishing at the top of their group with seven points. In the second round, they played South Korea, defeating them 2–1 with star striker Luis Suárez scoring a brace and earning Uruguay a spot in the quarter-finals for the first time since 1970. Against Ghana, the match finished 1–1, forcing the game into extra-time. Both sides had their chances at extra time but Suárez blocked the ball with his hand in the penalty area, earning Suárez a red card and earning Uruguay universal scorn. Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan missed the subsequent penalty, forcing the game to go into penalties where Uruguay would win 4–2, sending them into the last four. They played the Netherlands in the semi-finals but were beaten 3–2. For the third-place match, they played Germany, again losing 3–2. This placed Uruguay in fourth place for the tournament, their best result in 40 years. Diego Forlan was awarded the Player of The Tournament.

 
Uruguay v Saudi Arabia match at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia

A year later, they won the Copa America for the first time in 16 years and broke the record for the most successful team in South America. Luis Suárez ended up as the Player of The Tournament. In the 2014 World Cup Uruguay was placed in Group D alongside Costa Rica, England, and Italy. They were upset by Costa Rica in the opening match, losing 3–1 despite taking the lead in the first half. They rebounded with a 2–1 victory over England, in which Suárez scored a brace right after coming back from an injury, and a 1–0 victory over Italy, placing them second in their group and earning a spot in the last 16. During the match against Italy, forward Luis Suárez bit Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini on his left shoulder. Two days after the match, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee banned Suárez for nine international matches, the longest such ban in World Cup history, exceeding the eight-match ban handed to Italy's Mauro Tassotti for breaking the nose of Spain's Luis Enrique in 1994.[11][12][13] Suárez was also banned from taking part in any football-related activity (including entering any stadium) for four months and fined CHF100,000 (approx. £65,700/€82,000/US$119,000).[11][12][14] In the round of 16, Uruguay played Colombia but were beaten 2–0, eliminating them from the tournament.

At the 2015 and 2016 Copa América, Uruguay, missing banned striker Luis Suárez, were eliminated in the quarter-finals and group stages respectively. After a successful World Cup qualifying campaign, finishing second, Uruguay made it to the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Uruguay won its group after three victories, and advanced to the quarter-finals after a 2–1 win over Portugal.[15][16] However, they were eliminated 2–0 in the quarter-finals by the eventual champions France.

At the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Uruguay was drawn into Group H with Portugal, Ghana and South Korea. They started the tournament with a 0–0 draw against South Korea, before they fell to a 2–0 defeat to Portugal. Although despite a 0–2 victory against Ghana in their final group game, Uruguay was knocked out of the tournament in the group stages for the first time since 2002, on goals scored following South Korea’s shock 2–1 win against Portugal.[17]

Team image edit

Kits and crest edit

 
Uruguay at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, wearing the light blue shirt they have worn since 1910

Between 1901 and 1910, Uruguay wore a variety of different shirts during its matches. The first shirt worn was the Albion F.C. one, in the unofficial debut of the national team v Argentina in 1901.[18] It was followed by a variety of shirts, including a solid green one and even a shirt with the colours of the flag of Artigas.

On 10 April 1910, now-defunct club River Plate defeated Argentine side Alumni 2–1, being the first time an Uruguayan team beat that legendary team. That day River Plate wore its alternate jersey, a light blue one due to the home jersey was similar to Alumni's.[19] Ricardo LeBas proposed Uruguay to wear a light blue jersey as a tribute to the victory of River Plate over Alumni. This was approved by president of the Uruguayan Association, Héctor Gómez.[20] The light blue (Celeste) jersey debuted in a Copa Lipton match v Argentina on 15 August 1910. Uruguay won 3–1.[21]

The red shirt that was used in some previous away strips was first used at the 1935 Copa América, held in Santa Beatriz in Peru, which Uruguay won. It was not worn again (except for a 1962 FIFA World Cup match, against Colombia[22]) until 1991, when it was officially adopted as the away jersey.[23]

Uruguay displays four stars in its emblem. This is unique in world football as two of the stars represent the gold medals received at the 1924 and 1928 Summer Olympics, which are the only editions recognised by FIFA as senior World Championships.[24][25][26] In 2021, after a FIFA employee contacted PUMA about modifying the team's crest, FIFA reconfirmed and approved once again the use of all four stars on the shirt.[27]

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1902–03 [note 4]
 
 
 
 
 
 
1905–07 [note 5]
 
 
 
 
 
1908–10 [note 6]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1910–present [note 7]

Kit sponsorship edit

Kit supplier Period
  Adidas 1974–1982
  Le Coq Sportif 1983–1986
  Puma 1987–1991
  Ennerre 1992–1998
  Covadonga 1999–2001
  L-Sporto 2002–2004
  Uhlsport 2004–2006
  Puma 2006–2023
  TBD 2024–
 
Uruguay national team fans at 2014 FIFA World Cup

Home stadium edit

Since 1930, Uruguay have played their home games at the Estadio Centenario in the Uruguayan capital Montevideo. The stadium was built as a celebration of the centenary of Uruguay's first constitution, and had a capacity of 90,000 when first fully opened.[30] The stadium hosted several matches in the 1930 World Cup, including the final, which was watched by a crowd of 93,000.[31]

Rivalries edit

Argentina edit

Uruguay has a long-standing rivalry with Argentina, that came into existence when they beat their South American neighbors 4–2 in the first World Cup final, held in Montevideo in 1930.

Brazil edit

Uruguay has an old rivalry with their South American neighbors. Their best known match was played at the 1950 World Cup in Brazil where Uruguay won 2–1 in front of almost 200,000 spectators at the Maracanã Stadium, thus winning the competition and earning their second World Cup title.

Australia edit

Uruguay has an almost 50-year rivalry with AFC (and former OFC) member Australia. The rivalry, which dates back to 1974, has seen the two teams face each other in qualification play-offs, with each team winning one playoff each to progress to the FIFA World Cup.

Results and fixtures edit

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2023 edit

24 March 2023 (2023-03-24) 2023 Kirin Challenge Cup Japan   1–1   Uruguay Tokyo, Japan
19:30 UTC+9
  • Nishimura   75'
Report
Stadium: Japan National Stadium
Attendance: 61,855
Referee: Ko Hyung-jin (South Korea)
28 March 2023 (2023-03-28) Friendly South Korea   1–2   Uruguay Seoul, South Korea
20:00 UTC+9 Report
Stadium: Seoul World Cup Stadium
Attendance: 63,952
Referee: Yudai Yamamoto (Japan)
14 June 2023 (2023-06-14) Friendly Uruguay   4–1   Nicaragua Montevideo, Uruguay
20:30 UTC−3
Report
Stadium: Estadio Centenario
Referee: Wagner do Nascimento Magalhães (Brazil)
20 June 2023 (2023-06-20) Friendly Uruguay   2–0   Cuba Montevideo, Uruguay
20:30 UTC−3
Report Stadium: Estadio Centenario
Referee: Bráulio da Silva Machado (Brazil)
8 September 2023 2026 World Cup qualification Uruguay   3–1   Chile Montevideo, Uruguay
20:00 UTC−3
Report
Stadium: Estadio Centenario
Attendance: 49,713
Referee: Darío Herrera (Argentina)
12 September 2023 2026 World Cup qualification Ecuador   2–1   Uruguay Quito, Ecuador
16:00 UTC−5
Report
Stadium: Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa
Attendance: 35,613
Referee: Wilton Sampaio (Brazil)
12 October 2023 2026 World Cup qualification Colombia   2–2   Uruguay Barranquilla, Colombia
15:30 UTC−5
Report
Stadium: Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez
Attendance: 43,915
Referee: Piero Maza (Chile)
17 October 2023 2026 World Cup qualification Uruguay   2–0   Brazil Montevideo, Uruguay
21:00 UTC−3
Report Stadium: Estadio Centenario
Attendance: 52,477
Referee: Alexis Herrera (Venezuela)
16 November 2023 2026 World Cup qualification Argentina   0–2   Uruguay Buenos Aires, Argentina
21:00 UTC−3 Report
Stadium: La Bombonera
Attendance: 51,900
Referee: Wilmar Roldán (Colombia)
21 November 2023 2026 World Cup qualification Uruguay   3–0   Bolivia Montevideo, Uruguay
20:30 UTC−3
Report Stadium: Estadio Centenario
Attendance: 46,100
Referee: Kevin Ortega (Peru)

2024 edit

23 March 2024 Friendly Basque Country   v   Uruguay Bilbao, Spain
20:00 UTC+1 Report Stadium: Estadio San Mamés
26 March 2024 Friendly Ivory Coast   v   Uruguay Lens, France
20:30 UTC+1 Report Stadium: Stade Bollaert-Delelis
5 June 2024 Friendly Mexico   v   Uruguay Denver, United States
TBD Report Stadium: Empower Field at Mile High
23 June 2024 2024 Copa América Uruguay   v   Panama Miami Gardens, United States
21:00 UTC−4 Stadium: Hard Rock Stadium
27 June 2024 2024 Copa América Uruguay   v   Bolivia East Rutherford, United States
21:00 UTC−4 Stadium: MetLife Stadium
1 July 2024 2024 Copa América United States   v   Uruguay Kansas City, United States
20:00 UTC−5 Stadium: Arrowhead Stadium
September 2024 2026 World Cup qualification Uruguay   v   Paraguay Montevideo, Uruguay
--:-- UTC−3 Stadium: Estadio Centenario
September 2024 2026 World Cup qualification Venezuela   v   Uruguay Venezuela
--:-- UTC−4
October 2024 2026 World Cup qualification Peru   v   Uruguay Lima, Peru
--:-- UTC−5 Stadium: Estadio Nacional
October 2024 2026 World Cup qualification Uruguay   v   Ecuador Montevideo, Uruguay
--:-- UTC−3 Stadium: Estadio Centenario
November 2024 2026 World Cup qualification Uruguay   v   Colombia Montevideo, Uruguay
--:-- UTC−3 Stadium: Estadio Centenario
November 2024 2026 World Cup qualification Brazil   v   Uruguay Brazil
--:-- UTC−3

Coaching staff edit

Current personnel edit

As of 14 June 2023[32]
Position Name
Head coach   Marcelo Bielsa
Assistant coaches   Lucas Ouviña
  Pablo Quiroga
  Diego Reyes
Goalkeeping coach   Carlos Nicola
Fitness coach   Marco Mansulino
Analyst   Diego Bermúdez
Logistics   Sara Bouzas
  Magalí Conde

Coaching history edit

Players edit

Current squad edit

The following 27 players are called up to the squad for friendlies against Basque Country and Ivory Coast on 23 and 26 March 2024 respectively.[34]

Caps and goals correct as of 21 November 2023, after the match against Bolivia.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Santiago Mele (1997-09-06) 6 September 1997 (age 26) 3 0   Atlético Junior
1GK Franco Israel (2000-04-22) 22 April 2000 (age 23) 1 0   Sporting CP
1GK Randall Rodríguez (2003-11-29) 29 November 2003 (age 20) 0 0   Peñarol

2DF Matías Viña (1997-11-09) 9 November 1997 (age 26) 35 0   Flamengo
2DF Ronald Araújo (1999-03-07) 7 March 1999 (age 25) 16 1   Barcelona
2DF Mathías Olivera (1997-10-31) 31 October 1997 (age 26) 16 1   Napoli
2DF Guillermo Varela (1993-03-24) 24 March 1993 (age 30) 14 0   Flamengo
2DF Sebastián Cáceres (1999-08-18) 18 August 1999 (age 24) 9 0   América
2DF Bruno Méndez (1999-09-10) 10 September 1999 (age 24) 6 0   Granada
2DF Lucas Olaza (1994-07-21) 21 July 1994 (age 29) 1 0   Krasnodar
2DF Nicolás Marichal (2001-03-17) 17 March 2001 (age 23) 0 0   Dynamo Moscow

3MF Matías Vecino (1991-08-24) 24 August 1991 (age 32) 69 5   Lazio
3MF Rodrigo Bentancur (1997-06-25) 25 June 1997 (age 26) 56 1   Tottenham Hotspur
3MF Federico Valverde (vice-captain) (1998-07-22) 22 July 1998 (age 25) 55 6   Real Madrid
3MF Nahitan Nández (1995-12-28) 28 December 1995 (age 28) 53 0   Cagliari
3MF Giorgian de Arrascaeta (1994-06-01) 1 June 1994 (age 29) 44 10   Flamengo
3MF Nicolás de la Cruz (1997-06-01) 1 June 1997 (age 26) 25 5   Flamengo
3MF Manuel Ugarte (2001-04-11) 11 April 2001 (age 22) 13 0   Paris Saint-Germain
3MF Rodrigo Zalazar (1999-08-12) 12 August 1999 (age 24) 1 2   Braga
3MF Nicolás Fonseca (1998-10-19) 19 October 1998 (age 25) 0 0   River Plate

4FW Brian Rodríguez (2000-05-20) 20 May 2000 (age 23) 21 4   América
4FW Facundo Pellistri (2001-12-20) 20 December 2001 (age 22) 18 0   Granada
4FW Facundo Torres (2000-04-13) 13 April 2000 (age 23) 15 1   Orlando City
4FW Agustín Canobbio (1998-10-01) 1 October 1998 (age 25) 10 1   Athletico Paranaense
4FW Federico Viñas (1998-06-30) 30 June 1998 (age 25) 1 0   León
4FW Ignacio Laquintana (1999-02-01) 1 February 1999 (age 25) 0 0   Red Bull Bragantino
4FW Luciano Rodríguez (2003-07-16) 16 July 2003 (age 20) 0 0   Liverpool Montevideo

Recent call-ups edit

The following players have also been called up to the Uruguay squad in the past twelve months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Sergio Rochet (1993-03-23) 23 March 1993 (age 30) 18 0   Internacional v.   Bolivia, 21 November 2023

DF José María Giménez (captain) (1995-01-20) 20 January 1995 (age 29) 83 8   Atlético Madrid v.   Bolivia, 21 November 2023
DF Joaquín Piquerez (1998-08-24) 24 August 1998 (age 25) 13 0   Palmeiras v.   Brazil, 17 October 2023
DF Santiago Bueno (1998-11-09) 9 November 1998 (age 25) 2 0   Wolverhampton Wanderers v.   Brazil, 17 October 2023
DF José Luis Rodríguez (1997-03-14) 14 March 1997 (age 27) 2 0   Vasco da Gama v.   Ecuador, 12 September 2023
DF Mauricio Lemos (1995-12-28) 28 December 1995 (age 28) 3 0   Atlético Mineiro v.   Cuba, 20 June 2023
DF Sebastián Boselli (2003-12-04) 4 December 2003 (age 20) 0 0   River Plate v.   Cuba, 20 June 2023
DF Facundo González (2003-07-06) 6 July 2003 (age 20) 0 0   Sampdoria v.   Cuba, 20 June 2023
DF Santiago Mouriño (2002-09-13) 13 September 2002 (age 21) 0 0   Zaragoza v.   Cuba, 20 June 2023
DF Mateo Ponte (2003-05-24) 24 May 2003 (age 20) 0 0   Botafogo v.   Cuba, 20 June 2023

MF Maximiliano Araújo (2000-02-15) 15 February 2000 (age 24) 7 1   Toluca v.   Bolivia, 21 November 2023
MF Felipe Carballo (1996-10-04) 4 October 1996 (age 27) 7 0   Grêmio v.   Bolivia, 21 November 2023
MF Emiliano Martínez (1999-08-17) 17 August 1999 (age 24) 2 0   Midtjylland v.   Ecuador, 12 September 2023
MF Fabricio Díaz (2003-02-03) 3 February 2003 (age 21) 0 0   Al-Gharafa v.   Cuba, 20 June 2023

FW Luis Suárez (1987-01-24) 24 January 1987 (age 37) 138 68   Inter Miami v.   Bolivia, 21 November 2023
FW Darwin Núñez (1999-06-24) 24 June 1999 (age 24) 22 8   Liverpool v.   Bolivia, 21 November 2023
FW Cristian Olivera (2002-04-17) 17 April 2002 (age 21) 3 0   Los Angeles v.   Bolivia, 21 November 2023
FW Maxi Gómez (1996-08-14) 14 August 1996 (age 27) 32 4   Cádiz v.   Ecuador, 12 September 2023
FW Diego Rossi (1998-03-05) 5 March 1998 (age 26) 7 1   Columbus Crew v.   Cuba, 20 June 2023
FW Matías Arezo (2002-11-21) 21 November 2002 (age 21) 3 1   Granada v.   Cuba, 20 June 2023
FW Thiago Borbas (2002-04-07) 7 April 2002 (age 21) 2 0   Red Bull Bragantino v.   Cuba, 20 June 2023
FW Anderson Duarte (2004-03-23) 23 March 2004 (age 19) 0 0   Defensor Sporting v.   Cuba, 20 June 2023

PRE Preliminary squad
INJ Injured

Player records edit

As of 21 November 2023, after the match against Bolivia[35]
Players in bold are still active with Uruguay.

Most appearances edit

 
Diego Godín is Uruguay's most capped player with 161 appearances.
Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Diego Godín 161 8 2005–2022
2 Luis Suárez 138 68 2007–present
3 Edinson Cavani 136 58 2008–present
4 Fernando Muslera 133 0 2009–present
5 Maxi Pereira 125 3 2005–2018
6 Martín Cáceres 116 4 2007–present
7 Diego Forlán 112 36 2002–2014
8 Cristian Rodríguez 110 11 2003–2018
9 Diego Lugano 95 9 2003–2014
10 Egidio Arévalo 90 0 2006–2017

Top goalscorers edit

 
Luis Suárez is Uruguay's top scorer with 68 goals.
Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Luis Suárez (list) 68 138 0.49 2007–present
2 Edinson Cavani 58 136 0.43 2008–present
3 Diego Forlán 36 112 0.32 2002–2014
4 Héctor Scarone 31 51 0.61 1917–1930
5 Ángel Romano 28 69 0.41 1913–1927
6 Óscar Míguez 27 39 0.69 1950–1958
7 Sebastián Abreu 26 70 0.37 1996–2012
8 Pedro Petrone 24 28 0.86 1923–1930
9 Fernando Morena 22 53 0.42 1971–1983
Carlos Aguilera 22 64 0.34 1982–1997

Competitive record edit

FIFA World Cup edit

  Champions    Runners-up    Third place     Fourth place      Tournament played fully or partially on home soil  

FIFA World Cup Qualification
Year Round Position Pld W D* L F A Squad Pos Pld W D L F A
  1930 Champions 1st 4 4 0 0 15 3 Squad Qualified as hosts
  1934 Refused to participate Qualified as defending champions
  1938 Refused to participate
  1950 Champions 1st 4 3 1 0 15 5 Squad Qualified automatically
  1954 Fourth place 4th 5 3 0 2 16 9 Squad Qualified as defending champions
  1958 Did not qualify 2nd 4 2 1 1 4 6
  1962 Group stage 13th 3 1 0 2 4 6 Squad 1st 2 1 1 0 3 2
  1966 Quarter-finals 7th 4 1 2 1 2 5 Squad 1st 4 4 0 0 11 2
  1970 Fourth place 4th 6 2 1 3 4 5 Squad 1st 4 3 1 0 5 0
  1974 Group stage 13th 3 0 1 2 1 6 Squad 1st 4 2 1 1 6 2
  1978 Did not qualify 2nd 4 1 2 1 5 4
  1982 2nd 4 1 2 1 5 5
  1986 Round of 16 16th 4 0 2 2 2 8 Squad 1st 4 3 0 1 6 4
  1990 16th 4 1 1 2 2 5 Squad 1st 4 3 0 1 7 2
  1994 Did not qualify 3rd 8 4 2 2 10 7
  1998 7th 16 6 3 7 18 21
    2002 Group stage 26th 3 0 2 1 4 5 Squad 5th 20 8 6 6 22 14
  2006 Did not qualify 5th 20 7 7 6 24 29
  2010 Fourth place 4th 7 3 2 2 11 8 Squad 5th 20 7 7 6 30 21
  2014 Round of 16 12th 4 2 0 2 4 6 Squad 5th 18 8 5 5 30 25
  2018 Quarter-finals 5th 5 4 0 1 7 3 Squad 2nd 18 9 4 5 32 20
  2022 Group stage 20th 3 1 1 1 2 2 Squad 3rd 18 8 4 6 22 22
      2026 Qualification in progress TBD 6 4 1 1 13 5
      2030 Qualified as commemorative match hosts Qualified as commemorative match hosts
  2034 To be determined To be determined
Total 2 Titles 14/22 59 25 13 21 89 76 178 81 47 50 253 191
*Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.

Copa América edit

South American Championship / Copa América record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad
  1916 Champions 1st 3 2 1 0 6 1 Squad
  1917 Champions 1st 3 3 0 0 9 0 Squad
  1919 Runners-up 2nd 4 2 1 1 7 5 Squad
  1920 Champions 1st 3 2 1 0 9 2 Squad
  1921 Third place 3rd 3 1 0 2 3 4 Squad
  1922 Third place 3rd 4 2 1 1 3 1 Squad
  1923 Champions 1st 3 3 0 0 6 1 Squad
  1924 Champions 1st 3 2 1 0 8 1 Squad
  1925 Withdrew
  1926 Champions 1st 4 4 0 0 17 2 Squad
  1927 Runners-up 2nd 3 2 0 1 15 3 Squad
  1929 Third place 3rd 3 1 0 2 4 6 Squad
  1935 Champions 1st 3 3 0 0 6 1 Squad
  1937 Third place 3rd 5 2 0 3 11 14 Squad
  1939 Runners-up 2nd 4 3 0 1 13 5 Squad
  1941 Runners-up 2nd 4 3 0 1 10 1 Squad
  1942 Champions 1st 6 6 0 0 21 2 Squad
  1945 Fourth place 4th 6 3 0 3 14 6 Squad
  1946 Fourth place 4th 5 2 0 3 11 9 Squad
  1947 Third place 3rd 7 5 0 2 21 8 Squad
  1949 Sixth place 6th 7 2 1 4 14 20 Squad
  1953 Third place 3rd 6 3 1 2 15 6 Squad
  1955 Fourth place 4th 5 2 1 2 12 12 Squad
  1956 Champions 1st 5 4 1 0 9 3 Squad
  1957 Third place 3rd 6 4 0 2 15 12 Squad
  1959 Sixth place 6th 6 2 0 4 15 14 Squad
  1959 Champions 1st 4 3 1 0 13 1 Squad
  1963 Withdrew
  1967 Champions 1st 5 4 1 0 13 2 Squad
1975 Fourth place 4th 2 1 0 1 1 3 Squad
1979 Group stage 6th 4 1 2 1 5 5 Squad
1983 Champions 1st 8 5 2 1 12 6 Squad
  1987 Champions 1st 2 2 0 0 2 0 Squad
  1989 Runners-up 2nd 7 4 0 3 11 3 Squad
  1991 Group stage 5th 4 1 3 0 4 3 Squad
  1993 Quarter-finals 6th 4 1 2 1 5 5 Squad
  1995 Champions 1st 6 4 2 0 11 4 Squad
  1997 Group stage 9th 3 1 0 2 2 2 Squad
  1999 Runners-up 2nd 6 1 2 3 4 9 Squad
  2001 Fourth place 4th 6 2 2 2 7 7 Squad
  2004 Third place 3rd 6 3 2 1 12 10 Squad
  2007 Fourth place 4th 6 2 2 2 8 9 Squad
  2011 Champions 1st 6 3 3 0 9 3 Squad
  2015 Quarter-finals 7th 4 1 1 2 2 3 Squad
  2016 Group stage 11th 3 1 0 2 4 4 Squad
  2019 Quarter-finals 6th 4 2 2 0 7 2 Squad
  2021 5th 5 2 2 1 4 2 Squad
  2024 Qualified
Total 15 Titles 45/47 206 112 38 56 410 222

FIFA Confederations Cup edit

FIFA Confederations Cup record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad
  1992 Did not qualify
  1995
  1997 Fourth place 4th 5 3 0 2 8 6 Squad
  1999 Did not qualify
    2001
  2003
  2005
  2009
  2013 Fourth place 4th 5 2 1 2 14 7 Squad
  2017 Did not qualify
Total Fourth place 2/10 10 5 1 4 22 13

CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions edit

CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
  1985 Runners-up 2nd 1 0 0 1 0 2
  1993 Did not qualify
  2022
Total Runners-up 1/3 1 0 0 1 0 2

Olympic Games edit

Olympic Games record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad
  1900 Did not participate
  1904
  1908
  1912
  1920
  1924 Gold medal 1st 5 5 0 0 20 2 Squad
  1928 Gold medal 1st 5 4 1 0 12 5 Squad
  1936 Withdrew[36]
  1948 Did not qualify
  1952
  1956
  1960
  1964
  1968
  1972
  1976 Withdrew[37]
  1980 Did not qualify
  1984
  1988
Since 1992 See Uruguay national under-23 football team
Total 2 Gold medals 3/19 10 9 1 0 32 7

Pan American Games edit

Pan American Games record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
  1951 Did not participate
  1955
  1959
  1963 Fourth place 4th 4 1 0 3 4 6
  1967 Did not participate
  1971
  1975 Preliminary round 11th 2 0 1 1 1 2
  1979 Did not enter
  1983 Gold medal 1st 4 4 0 0 5 1
  1987 Did not participate
  1991
  1995
Since 1999 See Uruguay national under-23 football team
Total 1 Gold medal 3/12 10 5 1 4 10 9

Head-to-head record edit

Below is a list of all matches Uruguay have played against FIFA recognised teams.[38] Updated as of 21 November 2023.

  Positive Record   Neutral Record   Negative Record

  1. ^ Includes matches against   Czechoslovakia.
  2. ^ Includes matches against   West Germany.
  3. ^ Includes matches against   Soviet Union.
  4. ^ Includes matches against   Yugoslavia and   Serbia and Montenegro.

Honours edit

Senior team edit

Major titles edit

Awards edit

South American Tournaments edit

Friendlies edit

Pan American team edit

Senior Competition       Total
World Cup 2 0 0 2
Olympic Games 2 0 0 2
Copa América 15 6 9 30
Panamerican Championship 0 0 1 1
CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions 0 1 0 1
Total 19 7 10 36

See also edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ Although the first match ever recorded by both, Argentina and Uruguay sides, was played on 16 May 1901, this is not considered an official game due to the match not being organized by Uruguay's Football Association but by Albion FC in its home field in Paso del Molino.[2][3][4][5]
  2. ^ After 1988, the tournament has been restricted to squads with no more than 3 players over the age of 23, and these matches are not regarded as part of the national team's record, nor are caps awarded.
  3. ^ Shirt of Albion F.C., worn in the first match (unofficial) v Argentina due to the most part of the players were from that club.[2]
  4. ^ Shirt worn in the first official match ever,[28] v Argentina in Montevideo in 1902,[18] also worn in a second game in Buenos Aires, 1903.[29]
  5. ^ Model based on the flag of Artigas. This uniform was worn (at least) by a Uruguay representatives (Liga Uruguaya v South Africa[18] and Copa Lipton matches 1905–07).[29]
  6. ^ Worn (at least) in the Copa Centenario Revolución de Mayo in 1910.
  7. ^ Worn by first time in a Copa Lipton match on 15 August 1910.[20][19]
  8. ^ Extra edition

References edit

  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 15 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  2. ^ a b c ""Historia del Fútbol Uruguayo" at Deportes en Uruguay". Archived from the original on 4 October 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  3. ^ a b Historias, curiosidades y estadísticas de la Selección, tras sus "primeros" 900 partidos Archived 16 April 2021 at the Wayback Machine, El Gráfico, 4 July 2012
  4. ^ a b Argentina national team archive Archived 20 August 2012 at the Wayback Machine on the RSSSF
  5. ^ a b Uruguay - international results Archived 30 April 2004 at the Wayback Machine on the RSSSF
  6. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 15 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  7. ^ "Uruguay 0-6 Argentina" Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine on Fútbol Nostalgia
  8. ^ Argentina-Uruguay: el clásico con más partidos del mundo Archived 11 May 2021 at the Wayback Machine by Oscar Barnade on Clarín, 18 November 2019
  9. ^ "Football's debt to Uruguay". BBC Sport. 8 April 2002. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  10. ^ "Football, football, football". UruguayNow. Retrieved 13 May 2010.
  11. ^ a b De Menezes, Jack (26 June 2014). "Luis Suarez banned: Fifa hand striker record nine-game ban AND a four month football ban for biting Giorgio Chiellini in biggest ever World Cup suspension". The Independent. Archived from the original on 12 July 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  12. ^ a b "Luis Suárez banned for four months for biting in World Cup game". The Guardian. 26 June 2014. Archived from the original on 6 July 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  13. ^ "FIFA Suspends and Fines Suarez for 9 Games and 4 Months After Biting Player". ABC News. 26 June 2014.
  14. ^ "Luis Suárez suspended for nine matches and banned for four months from any football-related activity". FIFA. 26 June 2014. Archived from the original on 3 July 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  15. ^ "Uruguay beat ten-man Russia to win Group A". Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  16. ^ "Uruguay beats Portugal to end Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup run". CNN. 30 June 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  17. ^ "Uruguay beats Ghana in grudge rematch but is eliminated from World Cup after South Korea shocks Portugal". CNN. 2 December 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  18. ^ a b c Así ha evolucionado la camiseta de la Selección Uruguaya Archived 13 July 2019 at the Wayback Machine on MKT Registrado, 11 April 2018
  19. ^ a b 100 años de la camiseta celeste Archived 13 July 2019 at the Wayback Machine on El Observador, 11 April 2011
  20. ^ a b La historia de la Celeste Archived 8 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine on Montevideo Wanderers website
  21. ^ Origen de la camiseta celeste Archived 13 July 2019 at the Wayback Machine on Montevideo Antiguo
  22. ^ ""Historical football kits: 1962 World Cup" at Historical Kits website". Archived from the original on 20 April 2013. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
  23. ^ ""Camisetas alternativas", La Selección website". Archived from the original on 6 October 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
  24. ^ Perez, Alvaro. "No doubts exist. Uruguay are four time FIFA World Champions". La Celeste Blog. Archived from the original on 15 March 2013. Retrieved 12 June 2020. ; citing the book 100 Años de Gloria: La Verdadera history del Futbol Uruguayo
  25. ^ "FIFA InfoPlus: Early years 1924 - 1930" (PDF). FIFA.com. FIFA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 November 2007. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  26. ^ Orígenes de la Copa Mundial de la FIFA (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 November 2012.
  27. ^ "FIFA confirms the use of all 4 stars". El Observador. 30 September 2021.
  28. ^ "Historias, curiosidades y estadísticas de la Selección, tras sus "primeros" 900 partidos" Archived 29 May 2018 at the Wayback Machine, El Gráfico, 4 July 2012
  29. ^ a b Argentina y Uruguay history Archived 13 July 2019 at the Wayback Machine on Viejos Estadios website
  30. ^ David Goldblatt (2008). The Ball Is Round: A Global History of Soccer. Penguin. p. 249. ISBN 978-1-59448-296-0.
  31. ^ FIFA World Cup Origin Archived 25 March 2007 at the Wayback Machine, FIFA Media Release. Retrieved on 16 October 2006.
  32. ^ "Cuerpo técnico de la selección mayor de Uruguay" (in Spanish). 25 May 2023. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  33. ^ "Oscar Tabárez Uruguay's national team manager achieves world record". Marcapais Uruguay. 22 November 2016.
  34. ^ "Jugadores convocados para la Selección Mayor - FECHA FIFA NOVIEMBRE 2023". www.auf.org.uy (in Spanish). AUF. 13 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  35. ^ "Uruguay – Record International Players". Archived from the original on 24 February 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  36. ^ "Southamerican Championship 1935". RSSSF. 23 November 2007. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  37. ^ "Games of the XXI. Olympiad – Football Qualifying Tournament". RSSSF. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  38. ^ "World Football Elo Ratings: Uruguay".
  39. ^ "Copa Círculo de la Prensa". RSSSF. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  40. ^ "Copa Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores". RSSSF. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  41. ^ "Copa Confraternidad Rioplatense". RSSSF. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  42. ^ "Copa Artigas". RSSSF. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  43. ^ "Copa Juan Pinto Durán". RSSSF. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  44. ^ "La Copa Juan Parra del Riego" (in Spanish). LaRed21. 31 May 2004. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  45. ^ "Copa Ministerio de Vivienda". RSSSF. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  46. ^ Roy, Abhishek (14 August 2007). "Revisiting some of the memorable moments of the Nehru Cup". TwoCircles.net. IANS. Archived from the original on 3 March 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  47. ^ "Uruguay 2 vs 0 Inglaterra" (in Spanish). AUF Sitio Web Oficial. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  48. ^ "Miami Cup 1986". RSSSF. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  49. ^ "Uruguay national football team 'A' international record: Tiger Beer Challenge Trophy 2002". 11v11.com. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  50. ^ "Fútbol: Uruguay alza Copa 'Confraternidad Antel' ante Holanda" (in Spanish). UPI Español. Retrieved 10 February 2022.

External links edit