Meknes – Uruguay’s Luis Suárez has been left out of the World Cup after manager Marcelo Bielsa finalized his 26-man roster on Sunday.
Suárez originally retired from international football in September 2024, playing his final match for Uruguay against Paraguay.
The 39-year-old striker had previously left the door open for an international comeback. Following a 20-month absence, Suárez had expressed a willingness to reverse his retirement if the national team required his services.
Ultimately, there was no spot for the veteran forward. Suárez had previously criticized Bielsa’s managerial methods, claiming they had fractured the locker room.
While the 39-year-old later claimed to have apologized for the outburst, it was not enough to secure his place.
The selection features stars such as Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde, Barcelona’s Ronald Araújo, and Atlético de Madrid’s José María Giménez.
The roster also includes Real Oviedo striker Federico Viñas, marking a major generational shift, as it will be the first time since 2010 that Uruguay travels to a World Cup without Luis Suárez in the side.
While Suárez’s exclusion was expected, the overall balance of the squad immediately raised questions. Bielsa’s final 26-man roster includes three goalkeepers, nine defenders, and 11 midfielders, leaving room for just three natural forwards.
Darwin Núñez, Federico Viñas, and Rodrigo Aguirre are the only recognized center-forwards on the roster, a tactical choice that has only intensified questions surrounding Suárez’s exclusion.
The veteran striker certainly wasn’t lacking form, having enjoyed a productive season with Inter Miami, where he scored six goals in 11 MLS matches.
Uruguay will open the tournament in Miami, debuting against Saudi Arabia on June 15 before taking on Cape Verde six days later at the same stadium. For their final Group H fixture, they will head to Guadalajara to face Spain on June 26.
