Uruguay national football team facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Uruguay

Nickname(s)	La Celeste (The Sky Blue) Los Charrúas (The Charrúas)
Association	Asociación Uruguaya de Fútbol (AUF)
Confederation	CONMEBOL (South America)
Head coach	Marcelo Bielsa
Captain	José Giménez
Most caps	Diego Godín (161)
Top scorer	Luis Suárez (69)
Home stadium	Estadio Centenario
FIFA code	URU
First colours Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	7 (7 February 2019)
Highest	2 (June 2012)
Lowest	76 (December 1998)
Elo ranking
Current	11 2 (3 March 2019)
Highest	1 (Various dates 1920–29)
Lowest	48 (5 September 1979)
First international
Uruguay 0–6 Argentina  (Montevideo, Uruguay; 20 July 1902)
Biggest win
Uruguay 9–0 Bolivia  (Lima, Peru; 6 November 1927)
Biggest defeat
Uruguay 0–6 Argentina  (Montevideo, Uruguay; 20 July 1902)
World Cup
Appearances	14 (first in 1930)
Best result	Champions (1930, 1950)
Copa América
Appearances	46 (first in 1916)
Best result	Champions (1916, 1917, 1920, 1923, 1924, 1926, 1935, 1942, 1956, 1959, 1967, 1983, 1987, 1995, 2011)
CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions
Appearances	1 (first in 1985)
Best result	Runners-up (1985)
Confederations Cup
Appearances	2 (first in 1997)
Best result	Fourth place (1997, 2013)
Medal record FIFA World Cup Gold 1930 Uruguay Team Gold 1950 Brazil Team Olympic Games Gold 1924 Paris Team Gold 1928 Amsterdam Team Copa América Gold 1916 Argentina Team Gold 1917 Uruguay Team Gold 1920 Chile Team Gold 1923 Uruguay Team Gold 1924 Uruguay Team Gold 1926 Chile Team Gold 1935 Peru Team Gold 1942 Uruguay Team Gold 1956 Uruguay Team Gold 1959 Ecuador Team Gold 1967 Uruguay Team Gold 1983 South America Team Gold 1987 Argentina Team Gold 1995 Uruguay Team Gold 2011 Argentina Team Silver 1919 Brazil Team Silver 1927 Peru Team Silver 1939 Peru Team Silver 1941 Chile Team Silver 1989 Brazil Team Silver 1999 Paraguay Team Bronze 1921 Argentina Team Bronze 1922 Brazil Team Bronze 1929 Argentina Team Bronze 1937 Argentina Team Bronze 1947 Colombia Team Bronze 1953 Peru Team Bronze 1957 Peru Team Bronze 2004 Peru Team Bronze 2024 USA Team

The Uruguay national football team, also known as La Celeste (The Sky Blue), is the official men's football team for Uruguay. It is managed by the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF).

Uruguay is one of the most successful football teams in the world. They have won four major world titles organized by FIFA. These include two Olympic gold medals and two FIFA World Cups.

Their first two world titles were at the Olympic Games in Paris in 1924 and Amsterdam in 1928. FIFA recognized these as top world championships. In 1924, Uruguay beat Switzerland 3–0 in the final. In 1928, they won again by beating Argentina 2–1.

Uruguay then won their third world title at the very first FIFA World Cup in 1930. This tournament was held in their home city of Montevideo. They defeated Argentina 4–2 in the final match. Their fourth world title came in 1950. They beat the host country, Brazil, 2–1 in a famous match known as the Maracanazo. This game holds the record for the most people ever at a football match, with over 173,000 fans.

Besides their world titles, Uruguay has also won the Copa América 15 times. This makes them one of the most successful teams in the history of this South American tournament. Their most recent Copa América win was in 2011.

History of Uruguay Football

Early Days and Global Success

Uruguay before its first official match against Argentina, 20 July 1902

Uruguay's first official football match was on July 20, 1902, against Argentina. Argentina won that game 6–0. Before 1916, Uruguay mostly played against Argentina.

In 1916, Uruguay won the first-ever Copa América. They beat Chile and Brazil, and drew with Argentina. The next year, in 1917, Uruguay hosted the tournament and won it again. In 1919, they lost their first Copa América match in a very long playoff game against Brazil.

The team that won its second gold medal at the 1928 Summer Olympics

After winning the 1924 South American Championship, Uruguay became the first South American team to play in the Olympic Games in Paris. This was the first "open" football championship for professional players, and FIFA helped organize it. Uruguay won, becoming the first professional world champions in football. They even started the tradition of the lap of honour to thank the fans. In the 1928 Olympic tournament, Uruguay won their world title again. They beat Argentina 2–1 in the final replay.

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

Because of their Olympic wins, Uruguay was chosen to host the first FIFA World Cup in 1930. This was a special year for Uruguay, marking 100 years since their first constitution. Uruguay won all their matches in the tournament. In the final, they came back from being down 1–2 to beat Argentina 4–2 at the Estadio Centenario. This was their third world title in a row. Uruguay then chose not to play in the 1934 and 1938 World Cups. This was because some European teams didn't want to play in the 1930 tournament.

Uruguay's great team from this era won the 1935 South American Championship. They beat Argentina 3-0 in the final. This team won a total of seven major titles, which is still a record.

1940s to 1960s Football

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

In the 1940s, Uruguay won their eighth South American championship in 1942. The World Cup was not played during this time, so the South American championship was very important.

In 1950, Uruguay returned to the World Cup. They tied Spain 2–2 and beat Sweden 3–2. Then they faced host country Brazil in the final match. On July 16, 1950, Uruguay won their second FIFA World Cup. They beat Brazil 2–1 in a famous upset called the Maracanazo. This happened in front of a huge crowd of over 173,000 people. This victory became a very important part of Uruguay's football history.

In the 1954 World Cup, Uruguay reached the semi-finals. They beat Czechoslovakia, Scotland, and England. The semi-final against Hungary was a thrilling game. Uruguay tied the match 2–2 after being down 2–0. They eventually lost 4–2 in extra time. This was their first loss ever in a World Cup match, ending a 30-year unbeaten streak.

Uruguay did not qualify for the 1958 World Cup. However, they had a strong team in the 1960s and early 1970s. They won their 11th South American championship in 1967. They beat Argentina 1–0 in Montevideo.

1970s and 1980s Football

In 1970, Uruguay reached the World Cup semi-finals again. They lost to Brazil, who went on to win the tournament. After this, Uruguayan football had a tough period. They were eliminated early in the 1974 World Cup. They also failed to qualify for the 1978 World Cup.

Rodolfo Rodríguez raises the Mundialito trophy won in January 1981

Things started to look up in the late 1970s. Uruguay's under-20 team won four South American titles in a row. They also reached the U20 World Cup semi-finals in 1979. This young talent helped the senior team in the 1980s.

In 1980, Uruguay won the 1980 World Champions' Gold Cup. This tournament brought together past World Cup winners. Then, La Celeste won the 1983 and 1987 Copa América tournaments back-to-back. They qualified for the 1986 World Cup. They were knocked out in the Round of 16 by Argentina, who became champions.

1990s to 2022 Football

In the 1990 World Cup in Italy, Uruguay lost to the host team in the Round of 16. They did not qualify for the 1994 World Cup. However, they beat Brazil to win the 1995 Copa América in Montevideo. They also missed the 1998 World Cup.

For the 2002 World Cup, Uruguay qualified after winning a playoff against Australia. In the finals, they were eliminated in the group stage. This was after a 3–3 draw with Senegal.

Uruguay did not qualify for the 2006 World Cup. They lost to Australia in a penalty shootout. This led to a big change, and Oscar Tabarez became the new manager. Under him, Uruguay reached the semi-finals of the 2007 Copa América. They also qualified for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Recent Years: 2010s to 2022

In 2010, a new group of talented players emerged. These included Luis Suárez, Diego Forlán, and Edinson Cavani. They led Uruguay to a fourth-place finish in the World Cup. This was their best result in 40 years. Forlán was even named the Player of the Tournament.

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

A year later, in 2011, Uruguay won the Copa América. This made them the most successful team in South America, with 15 titles. Luis Suárez was named the Player of the Tournament.

At the 2014 World Cup, Uruguay was in a tough group. They lost their first match to Costa Rica. But they bounced back with wins against England and Italy. In the match against Italy, Luis Suárez bit an Italian player. FIFA banned Suárez for nine international matches. Uruguay was then eliminated in the Round of 16 by Colombia.

Uruguay was eliminated early in the 2015 and 2016 Copa América tournaments. This was partly because Luis Suárez was still banned.

After a strong qualifying campaign, Uruguay played in the 2018 World Cup in Russia. They won their group and beat Portugal 2–1 to reach the quarter-finals. However, they lost 2–0 to France, who went on to win the World Cup.

At the 2022 World Cup, Uruguay did not make it past the group stage. This was the first time since 2002. They drew with South Korea, lost to Portugal, and beat Ghana. But South Korea's surprise win against Portugal meant Uruguay was out.

Team Look and Home Field

Kits and Crest

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

From 1901 to 1910, Uruguay wore different colored shirts. On April 10, 1910, a club called River Plate won a big game wearing a light blue jersey. To celebrate this, someone suggested that the national team should also wear light blue. The idea was approved, and the light blue (Celeste) jersey was first worn on August 15, 1910.

The team sometimes uses a red shirt for away games. This red shirt was first used in 1935. It became the official away jersey in 1991.

Uruguay's team badge has four stars. This is special because two of the stars represent their gold medals from the 1924 and 1928 Summer Olympics. FIFA recognizes these Olympic wins as world championships. FIFA has confirmed that Uruguay can keep all four stars on their jersey.

1901

1902–03

1905–07

1908–10

1910–present

Home Stadium

Since 1930, Uruguay has played its home games at the Estadio Centenario. This stadium is in Montevideo, the capital city. It was built to celebrate 100 years of Uruguay's first constitution. The stadium held many matches during the 1930 World Cup, including the final. About 93,000 people watched the final game there.

Football Rivalries

Argentina Rivalry

The "Clasico de Rio de la Plata" is a very old football rivalry between Uruguay and Argentina. It started in 1902. These two teams have played in many important matches. This includes two world finals: the 1928 Olympics and the first World Cup final in 1930. They also played for the South American Championship title eight times. While Argentina has won more games overall, Uruguay has won more of the big international title matches.

Brazil Rivalry

The rivalry between Uruguay and Brazil began in 1916. They have played in several Copa América finals. The most famous match was the 1950 World Cup final. Uruguay won this game in Brazil's Maracana in front of a record crowd. They also met in the 1970 World Cup semi-final, where Brazil won. In the 1980s and 1990s, they played in more title games, with both teams winning some.

Coaching Staff

Current Personnel

Position	Name
Head coach	Marcelo Bielsa
Assistant coaches	Pablo Quiroga Diego Reyes
Goalkeeping coach	Enzo Ferrari
Fitness coaches	Diego Estavillo Santiago Ferro

Players

Current Squad

The following 24 players were chosen for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches in November 2024.

Caps (games played) and goals are correct as of November 19, 2024.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Sergio Rochet	(1993-03-23) 23 March 1993 (age 32)	31	0	Internacional
12	1GK	Franco Israel	(2000-04-22) 22 April 2000 (age 25)	2	0	Sporting CP
23	1GK	Santiago Mele	(1997-09-06) 6 September 1997 (age 27)	4	0	Atlético Junior
2	2DF	José Giménez (captain)	(1995-01-20) 20 January 1995 (age 30)	92	8	Atlético Madrid
3	2DF	Marcelo Saracchi	(1998-04-23) 23 April 1998 (age 27)	9	0	Boca Juniors
13	2DF	Guillermo Varela	(1993-03-24) 24 March 1993 (age 32)	21	0	Flamengo
14	2DF	José Luis Rodríguez	(1997-03-14) 14 March 1997 (age 28)	3	0	Vasco da Gama
16	2DF	Mathías Olivera	(1997-10-31) 31 October 1997 (age 27)	26	2	Napoli
18	2DF	Juan Rodríguez	(2005-05-30) 30 May 2005 (age 20)	0	0	Boston River
22	2DF	Nicolás Marichal	(2001-03-17) 17 March 2001 (age 24)	3	0	Dynamo Moscow
	2DF	Santiago Bueno	(1998-11-09) 9 November 1998 (age 26)	6	0	Wolverhampton Wanderers
4	3MF	Nicolás Fonseca	(1998-10-19) 19 October 1998 (age 26)	4	0	River Plate
5	3MF	Manuel Ugarte	(2001-04-11) 11 April 2001 (age 24)	28	1	Manchester United
6	3MF	Rodrigo Bentancur	(1997-06-25) 25 June 1997 (age 28)	67	3	Tottenham Hotspur
15	3MF	Federico Valverde (vice-captain)	(1998-07-22) 22 July 1998 (age 26)	67	8	Real Madrid
20	3MF	Maximiliano Araújo	(2000-02-15) 15 February 2000 (age 25)	20	3	Sporting CP
	3MF	Nahitan Nández	(1995-12-28) 28 December 1995 (age 29)	65	0	Al Qadsiah
7	4FW	Rodrigo Aguirre	(1994-10-01) 1 October 1994 (age 30)	2	1	América
9	4FW	Darwin Núñez	(1999-06-24) 24 June 1999 (age 26)	33	13	Liverpool
10	4FW	Brian Rodríguez	(2000-05-20) 20 May 2000 (age 25)	26	4	América
11	4FW	Facundo Pellistri	(2001-12-20) 20 December 2001 (age 23)	32	2	Panathinaikos
17	4FW	Cristian Olivera	(2002-04-17) 17 April 2002 (age 23)	11	0	Los Angeles
19	4FW	Luciano Rodríguez	(2003-07-16) 16 July 2003 (age 21)	4	0	Bahia
21	4FW	Facundo Torres	(2000-04-13) 13 April 2000 (age 25)	19	1	Orlando City

Recent Call-ups

These players have also been called to the Uruguay squad in the last year.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Randall Rodríguez	(2003-11-29) 29 November 2003 (age 21)	0	0	Vélez Sarsfield	2024 Copa América PRE
DF	Santiago Mouriño	(2002-02-13) 13 February 2002 (age 23)	0	0	Alavés	v.  Ecuador, 15 October 2024
DF	Sebastián Cáceres	(1999-08-18) 18 August 1999 (age 25)	19	0	América	v.  Venezuela, 10 September 2024
DF	Lucas Olaza	(1994-07-21) 21 July 1994 (age 30)	7	0	Krasnodar	v.  Venezuela, 10 September 2024
DF	Agustín Sant'Anna	(1997-07-27) 27 July 1997 (age 27)	0	0	River Plate	v.  Venezuela, 10 September 2024
DF	Tomás Viera	(2006-03-18) 18 March 2006 (age 19)	0	0	Nacional	v.  Venezuela, 10 September 2024
DF	Matías Viña	(1997-11-09) 9 November 1997 (age 27)	41	1	Flamengo	2024 Copa América
DF	Ronald Araújo	(1999-03-07) 7 March 1999 (age 26)	20	1	Barcelona	2024 Copa América SUS
DF	Bruno Méndez	(1999-09-10) 10 September 1999 (age 25)	7	0	Toluca	v.  Basque Country, 23 March 2024
MF	Giorgian de Arrascaeta	(1994-06-01) 1 June 1994 (age 31)	53	10	Flamengo	v.  Ecuador, 15 October 2024
MF	Nicolás de la Cruz	(1997-06-01) 1 June 1997 (age 28)	32	5	Flamengo	v.  Ecuador, 15 October 2024
MF	Emiliano Martínez	(1999-08-17) 17 August 1999 (age 25)	4	0	Midtjylland	v.  Ecuador, 15 October 2024
MF	Facundo Bernal	(2003-08-21) 21 August 2003 (age 21)	0	0	Fluminense	v.  Ecuador, 15 October 2024
MF	Marco Oroná	(2005-08-06) 6 August 2005 (age 19)	0	0	Universidad de Chile	v.  Ecuador, 15 October 2024
MF	Lucas Sanabria	(2003-12-26) 26 December 2003 (age 21)	0	0	Nacional	v.  Ecuador, 15 October 2024
MF	Tiago Palacios	(2001-03-28) 28 March 2001 (age 24)	0	0	Estudiantes	v.  Venezuela, 10 September 2024
MF	Lucas Pino	(2005-10-30) 30 October 2005 (age 19)	0	0	Montevideo City Torque	v.  Venezuela, 10 September 2024
MF	César Araújo	(2001-04-02) 2 April 2001 (age 24)	1	0	Orlando City	2024 Copa América PRE
MF	Matías Vecino	(1991-08-24) 24 August 1991 (age 33)	70	6	Lazio	v.  Basque Country, 23 March 2024 RET
MF	Rodrigo Zalazar	(1999-08-12) 12 August 1999 (age 25)	2	2	Braga	v.  Basque Country, 23 March 2024
FW	Matías Abaldo	(2004-04-02) 2 April 2004 (age 21)	0	0	Gimnasia LP	v.  Ecuador, 15 October 2024
FW	Joaquín Lavega	(2005-02-03) 3 February 2005 (age 20)	0	0	River Plate Montevideo	v.  Ecuador, 15 October 2024
FW	Pablo Suárez	(2005-11-14) 14 November 2005 (age 19)	0	0	Montevideo Wanderers	v.  Ecuador, 15 October 2024
FW	Miguel Merentiel	(1996-02-24) 24 February 1996 (age 29)	1	0	Boca Juniors	v.  Venezuela, 10 September 2024
FW	Luis Suárez	(1987-01-24) 24 January 1987 (age 38)	143	69	Inter Miami	v.  Paraguay, 6 September 2024 RET
FW	Agustín Canobbio	(1998-10-01) 1 October 1998 (age 26)	13	1	Athletico Paranaense	2024 Copa América
FW	Brian Ocampo	(1999-06-25) 25 June 1999 (age 26)	1	0	Cádiz	2024 Copa América
FW	Federico Viñas	(1998-06-30) 30 June 1998 (age 27)	2	1	Real Oviedo	2024 Copa América INJ
FW	Ignacio Laquintana	(1999-02-01) 1 February 1999 (age 26)	0	0	Santos	v.  Ivory Coast, 26 March 2024
Notes INJ = Withdrew due to injury PRE = Preliminary squad RET = Retired from the national team SUS = Serving suspension WD = Player withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue.

Player Records

Here are some records for players who have played for Uruguay.

Players in bold are still active with Uruguay.

Most Games Played

Diego Godín has played the most games for Uruguay, with 161 appearances.

Top Goal Scorers

Luis Suárez is Uruguay's top scorer with 69 goals.

Team Achievements

Uruguay has won many important football competitions.

Major Competitions

Worldwide Titles

• FIFA World Cup
  • Champions (2): 1930, 1950
• Olympic Games
  • Gold medal (2): 1924, 1928

Intercontinental Titles

• CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions
  • Runners-up (1): 1985

Continental Titles

• South American Championship / Copa América
  • Champions (15): 1916, 1917, 1920, 1923, 1924, 1926, 1935, 1942, 1956, 1959 (Ecuador), 1967, 1983, 1987, 1995, 2011
  • Runners-up (6): 1919, 1927, 1939, 1941, 1989, 1999
  • Third place (10): 1921, 1922, 1929, 1937, 1947, 1953, 1957, 1975, 2004, 2024
• Panamerican Championship
  • Third place (1): 1952

Summary of Titles

Senior Competition				Total
FIFA World Cup	2	0	0	2
Olympic Games	2	0	0	2
Copa América	15	6	10	31
Panamerican Championship	0	0	1	1
CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions	0	1	0	1
Total	19	7	11	37

Images for kids

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  Uruguay before its first official match against Argentina, 20 July 1902

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  The team that won its second gold medal at the 1928 Summer Olympics

• 

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

• 

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

• 

  Rodolfo Rodríguez raises the Mundialito trophy won in January 1981

• 

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

• 

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

• 

  Diego Godín is Uruguay's most capped player with 161 appearances.

• 

  Luis Suárez is Uruguay's top scorer with 69 goals.

See also

In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Uruguay para niños

• Uruguay A' national football team
• Uruguay national under-23 football team
• Uruguay national under-20 football team
• Uruguay national under-17 football team
• Uruguay national futsal team