Uruguay’s National Team: A New Era Under Bielsa’s Vision Brings Success in World Cup Qualifying

A Historic Team in Transition

The Uruguay national football team, nicknamed La Celeste (“The Sky Blue”), represents one of football’s most storied nations. They are considered one of the most successful national teams in international competitions, having won four FIFA-organized world championships, including two World Cups.

Current Leadership and Recent Performance

The team is currently under the guidance of Marcelo Bielsa, who took charge in 2023. Bielsa, nicknamed ‘El Loco’, is widely regarded as one of the most influential coaches of all time. Following Uruguay’s disappointing performance in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Bielsa has initiated a significant rejuvenation of the team, bringing in 14 uncapped new players and notably leaving out veterans who had participated in four consecutive World Cups.

Recent Achievements and World Cup Qualification

The team has shown promising results under Bielsa’s leadership, securing a home victory over Chile in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with a 3-1 win. They also achieved a historic victory against Brazil, winning 2-0 with Darwin Núñez and Nicolás de la Cruz scoring crucial goals. Their most recent match against Peru resulted in an impressive 3-0 victory.

Looking Ahead

Uruguay’s next challenge comes against Chile on September 9, 2025, in the World Cup Qualifiers. The Uruguay Football Association has pledged full support to Bielsa’s project leading into the 2026 World Cup, with the team showing “interesting things” and maintaining optimistic hopes of reaching the 2026 tournament with strong football credentials. The team is also scheduled to face the United States in their final match of 2025, which will take place at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.