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To prepare you for the tournament, The18 has launched team-by-team previews for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Here’s the Uruguay World Cup preview who'll play in Group H against Portugal, South Korea and Ghana.
World Cup Appearances: 14th
Best Finish: Champions (1930, 1950)
How they got here: Uruguay finished third in Conmebol World Cup qualifying behind Brazil and Argentina. Uruguay finished with an 8-4-6 record and interestingly had a 0-goal difference with 22 goals scored and 22 goals conceded in 18 games.
Coach: Diego Alonso (Uruguayan)
World Cup Squad:
- Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera (Galatasaray), Sergio Rochet (Nacional), Sebastián Sosa (Independiente)
- Defenders: Ronald Araujo (Barcelona), Martín Cáceres (LA Galaxy), Sebastián Coates (Sporting CP), José Giménez (Atlético Madrid), Diego Godín (Velez Sarsfield), Mathías Olivera (Napoli), José Luis Rodriguez (Nacional), Guillermo Varela (Flamengo), Matías Viña (Roma)
- Midfielders: Giorgian de Arrascaeta (Flamengo), Rodrigo Bentancur (Tottenham), Nicolás de la Cruz (River Plate), Lucas Torreira (Galatasaray), Manuel Ugarte (Sporting CP), Federico Valverde (Real Madrid), Matías Vecino (Lazio)
- Forwards: Agustín Cannobio (Athletico Paranaense), Edinson Cavani (Valencia), Maxi Gómez (Trabzonspor), Darwin Núñez (Liverpool), Facundo Pellistri (Manchester United), Luis Suárez (Nacional), Facundo Torres (Orlando City)
Strongest XI: (4-3-3) Sergio Rochet; Mathías Olivera, José Giménez, Diego Godín, Ronald Araújo; Rodrigo Bentancur, Matías Vecino, Federico Valverde; Darwin Núñez, Luis Suárez, Edinson Cavani
Injuries: Ronald Araújo (groin)
What’s to like: Uruguay will be one of the dark horses to make a deep run in the tournament. Their filthy attack and midfield maestro, Federico Valverde, are to thank for the prediction that Uruguay will make a run.
Valverde is in sensational form and is poised to have a fantastic World Cup. The veteran attack of Edinson Cavani and Luis Suárez is joined by a youthful and in-from Darwin Núñez. Scoring goals shouldn’t be a problem with that front three and Valverde pulling the strings behind them.
What’s not to like: The defense conceding 22 goals in 18 qualifying games is concerning. The goalkeeper situation hasn’t been straight-forward as veteran goalkeeper Ferando Muslera played 10 of Uruguay’s qualifiers but has lost the job to Sergio Rochet. The center back pairing of a recovering Ronald Araújo and 36-year-old Diego Godín could also be vulnerable.
Perhaps the biggest thing not to like is if Uruguay finishes second in Group H. If this is the case, then it will almost definitely set up a Round of 16 clash with Brazil. Uruguay is winless vs. Brazil in the last 12 meetings between the two nations. Uruguay’s last victory against their powerhouse neighbors was in July 2001.
X-Factor: Federico Valverde. He’s been on fire for Real Madrid, had the winning assist in the 2022 UEFA Champions League Final and is a man on a mission. Expect big things from Valverde.
Best Hair: Edinson Cavani.
Most likely to fuck it all up: Luis Suárez if he gets hungry again.
What will make this a good World Cup: Semifinals or better.
Bonus prediction: A player on Ghana’s team two-foot tackles Suárez into oblivion in an act of revenge for his handball in the 2010 World Cup.
