World Cup 2018 Preview - Uruguay

Team: Uruguay

Manager: Oscar Tabarez

Group: Group A

Other teams in-group: Russia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt.

THE SQUAD

There are plenty of familiar names in the Uruguay squad for the 2018 World Cup.

Forward Luis Suarez will be hoping for a more positive impact in Russia this year after grabbing headlines for some unpopular actions in 2014.

In the 2014 World Cup, hosted by Brazil, Suarez bit Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini which led to the ex-Liverpool striker being suspended from all football activity for four months.

Suarez will be joined in the Uruguay attack by PSG marksman Edison Cavani who will also be looking to shine in Russia this summer.

Other names of note on the panel include Captain Diego Goidin, Jose Maria Gimenez of Athletico Madrid and Gaston Ramirez who had spells with Southampton, Middlesbrough and Hull during a five year stay in England.



The squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera (Galatasaray/Turkey), Martin Silva (Vasco da Gama/Brazil), Martin Campana (Independiente/Argentina)

Defenders: Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid/Spain), Sebastian Coates (Sporting CP/Portugal), Jose Maria Gimenez (Atletico Madrid/Spain), Maximiliano Pereira (Porto/Portugal), Gaston Silva (Independiente/Argentina), Martin Caceres (Lazio/Italy), Guillermo Varela (Penarol)

Midfielders: Nahitan Nandez (Boca Juniors/Argentina), Lucas Torreira (Sampdoria/Italy), Matias Vecino (Inter Milan/Italy), Federico Valverde (Real Madrid/Spain), Rodrigo Bentancur (Juventus/Italy), Carlos Sanchez (Monterrey/Mexico), Giorgian De Arrascaeta (Cruzeiro/Brazil), Diego Laxalt (Genoa/Italy), Cristian Rodriguez (Penarol), Jonathan Urretaviscaya (Monterrey/Mexico), Nicolas Lodeiro (Seattle Sounders/USA), Gaston Ramirez (Sampdoria/Italy)

Forwards: Cristhian Stuani (Girona/Spain), Maximiliano Gomez (Celta Vigo/Spain), Edinson Cavani (PSG/France), Luis Suarez (Barcelona/Spain)

 



HOW THEY GOT HERE

Uruguay finished second in a very completive South American qualifying group.

Despite suffering defeats to Peru, Chile, Argentina, Ecuador and Brazil, Tabarez and co managed to finish comfortably in the top four of the table, meaning qualification for Russia 2018.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR

Luis Suarez (Barcelona), Maxi Pereira (Porto) and Edison Cavani (PSG).

 

WHERE THEY ARE PLAYING AND STAYING (All kick-off times are according to Irish time)

June 15, 13.00, Central Stadium, Yekaterinburg, Uruguay V Egypt.

June 20, 16.00, Rostov Arena, Rostov-On-Don, Uruguay V Saudi Arabia.

June 25, 15.00, Samara Arena, Samara, Uruguay V Russia.

Base Camp: Nizhny Novgorod.

 

THREE INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE TEAM

Uruguay’s last and only visit to Russia saw them draw 1-1 in an International friendly in Moscow. Luis Suarez opened the scoring before Alexander Kerzhakov equalised just a minute later.

If Luis Suarez scores more than three goals in Russia he will become the country’s top scorer of World Cup goals.

If either Maxi Pereira or Edison Cavani manage to appear in over three games in the 2018 World Cup, they will attain the record of the Uruguayan player with the most World Cup appearances for their country.

 

THEIR RECENT FORM

Wales 0-1 Uruguay

Uruguay 2-0 Czech Republic

Austria 2-1 Uruguay

First game: June 15, 13.00, Central Stadium, Yekaterinburg, Uruguay V Egypt.