Uruguay national football team


The Uruguay national football team represents Uruguay in international football, and is controlled by the Uruguayan Football Association, the governing body for football in Uruguay. The current head coach is Óscar Tabárez. The Uruguayan team is commonly referred to as La Celeste.
They have won the Copa América 15 times, the most successful national team in the tournament, the most recent title being the 2011 edition. The team has won the FIFA World Cup twice, including the first World Cup in 1930 as hosts, defeating Argentina 4–2 in the final. They won their second title in 1950, upsetting host Brazil 2–1 in the final match, which received an attendance higher than any football match ever.
They have won Gold medals at the Olympic football tournament twice, in 1924 and 1928, which are regarded as equivalent to World Cups, including by FIFA. Uruguay also won the 1980 Mundialito, a tournament among former World Cup champions. In total, Uruguay have won 20 official titles, a world record for the most international titles held by any country.
Their success is amplified by the fact that the nation has a very small population of around 3.4 million inhabitants. Uruguay is by far the smallest country in the world to have won a World Cup in terms of population, 1.75 million inhabitants in 1930. The second-smallest country, by population, to have won the World Cup is Argentina with a population of nearly 28 million people in 1978. Uruguay is also the smallest country ever to win any World Cup medals; only six FIFA member nations with a currently smaller population than Uruguay's have ever qualified to any World Cup: Northern Ireland, Slovenia, Wales, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Iceland.

History

In 1901, Uruguay played against Argentina in their first ever match, a close contest won by Argentina 3–2. Prior to 1916, Uruguay played more than 30 matches, of which all but one were against Argentina. The inaugural Copa America provided Uruguay with more varied opposition. Victories over Chile and Brazil, along with a tie against Argentina, enabled Uruguay to win the tournament. The following year Uruguay hosted the competition, and retained the title by winning every game. The 1919 Copa América saw Uruguay's first defeat in the tournament, a 1–0 defeat in a playoff with Brazil which went to two periods of extra time, the longest Copa América match in history.
In 1924, the Uruguay team traveled to Paris to become the first South American team to compete in the Olympic Games – this football tournament is the first recognized by FIFA as a world championship. In contrast to the physical style of the European teams of the era, Uruguay played a style based around short passes, and won every game, defeating Switzerland 3–0 in the gold medal match. In the 1928 Summer Olympics, Uruguay went to Amsterdam to defend their title, again winning the gold medal after defeating Argentina 2–1 in the replay of the final. FIFA assumed the responsibility of the organization of the Football Games to be played by FIFA rules and the tournaments are recognized as World Championships. It only happened twice until the creation of its own FIFA World Championship, the FIFA World Cup, in 1930.
to win Uruguay's first FIFA World Cup
Following the double Olympic triumph, Uruguay was chosen as the host nation for the first World Cup, held in 1930, the centenary of Uruguay's first constitution. During the World Cup, Uruguay won all its matches, and converted a 1–2 halftime deficit to a 4–2 victory against Argentina at the Estadio Centenario. Due to the refusal of some European teams to participate in the first World Cup, the Uruguayan Football Association urged other countries to reciprocate by boycotting the 1934 World Cup played in Italy. For the 1938 World Cup, France was chosen as host, contrary to a previous agreement to alternate the championships between South America and Europe, so Uruguay again refused to participate.
to win Uruguay's second FIFA World Cup
Uruguay again won the World Cup in 1950, beating hosts Brazil in one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history. The decisive match was at the Maracanã Stadium in Brazil. Uruguay came from behind to beat the host nation in a match which would become known as the Maracanazo. Many Brazilians had to be treated for shock after the event, such was the surprise of Uruguay's victory.
After their fourth-place finish in the 1954 World Cup, the team had mixed performances and after the fourth-place finish in 1970, their dominance, quality and performance dropped. They were no longer a world football power and failed to qualify for the World Cup on five occasions in the last nine competitions. They reached an all-time low and at one time ranked 76th in the FIFA World Rankings.
In 2010, however, a new generation of footballers, led by Luis Suárez, Diego Forlán and Edinson Cavani, formed a team considered to be Uruguay's best in the last four decades, catching international attention after finishing fourth in the 2010 World Cup. Uruguay opened the tournament with a goalless draw against France, followed by defeats of South Africa in and Mexico respectively, finishing at the top of their group with seven points. In the second round, they played South Korea, defeating them 2–1 with star striker Luis Suárez scoring a brace and earning Uruguay a spot in the quarter-finals for the first time since 1970. Against Ghana, the match finished 1–1, forcing the game into extra-time. Both sides had their chances at extra time but Suárez blocked the ball with his hand in the penalty area, earning Suárez a red card and earning Uruguay universal scorn. Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan missed the subsequent penalty, forcing the game to go into penalties where Uruguay would win 4–2, sending them into the last four. They played the Netherlands in the semifinals but were beaten 3–2. For the third-place match, they played Germany, again losing 3–2. This placed Uruguay in fourth place for the tournament, their best result in 40 years. Diego Forlan was awarded the Player of The Tournament.
in Russia
A year later, they won the Copa America for the first time in 16 years and broke the record for the most successful team in South America. Luis Suárez ended up as the Player of The Tournament.
In the 2014 World Cup Uruguay was placed in Group D alongside Costa Rica, England, and Italy. They were upset by Costa Rica in the opening match, losing 3–1 despite taking the lead in the first half. They rebounded with a 2–1 victory over England, in which Suárez scored a brace right after coming back from an injury, and a 1–0 victory over Italy, placing them second in their group and earning a spot in the last 16. During the match against Italy, forward Luis Suárez bit Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini on his left shoulder. Two days after the match, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee banned Suárez for nine international matches, the longest such ban in World Cup history, exceeding the eight-match ban handed to Italy's Mauro Tassotti for breaking the nose of Spain's Luis Enrique in 1994. Suárez was also banned from taking part in any football-related activity for four months and fined CHF100,000. In the round of 16, Uruguay played Colombia but were beaten 2–0, eliminating them from the tournament.
At the 2015 and 2016 Copa América, Uruguay, missing banned striker Luis Suárez, were eliminated in the quarter-finals and group stages respectively.
After a successful World Cup qualifying campaign, finishing second, Uruguay made it to the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Uruguay won its group after three victories, and advanced to the quarter-finals after a 2-1 win over Portugal. However, they were eliminated 2-0 in the quarter-finals by the eventual champions France.

Home stadium

Since 1930, Uruguay have played their home games at the Estadio Centenario in the Uruguayan capital Montevideo. The stadium was built as a celebration of the centenary of Uruguay's first constitution, and had a capacity of 90,000 when first fully opened. The stadium hosted several matches in the 1930 World Cup, including the final, which was watched by a crowd of 93,000. Crowds for Uruguay's home matches vary greatly depending on the importance of the match and the quality of the opposition. World Cup qualifying matches often attract crowds of between 50,000 and 73,000.
Uruguay's stadium Estadio Centenario is one of the biggest stadiums in the world over 100m wide and 100m long.

Team image

Between 1901 and 1910, Uruguay wore a variety of different shirts during its matches. The first shirt worn was the Albion F.C. one, in the unofficial debut of the national team v Argentina in 1901. Then Uruguay worn a variety of shirts, including a solid green one and even a shirt with the colors of the flag of Artigas.
On 10 April 1910, now-defunct club River Plate defeated Argentine side Alumni 2–1, being the first time an Uruguayan team beat that legendary team. That day River Plate wore its alternate jersey, a light blue one due to the home jersey was similar to Alumni's. Ricardo LeBas proposed Uruguay to wear a light blue jersey as a tribute to the victory of River Plate over Alumni. This was approved by president of the Uruguayan Association, Héctor Gómez. The light blue jersey debuted in a Copa Lipton match v Argentina on August 15, 1910. Uruguay won 3–1.
The red jersey that was used in some previous away strips was first used at the 1935 Copa América, held in Santa Beatriz in Peru, which Uruguay won. It was not worn again until 1991, when it was officially adopted as the away jersey.
Four stars appear above the team logo on the jersey. Two represent Uruguay's 1930 and 1950 World Cup victories, and the other two represent the gold medals received at the 1924 and 1928 Summer Olympics and recognised by FIFA as World Championships.
;Notes

Kit sponsorship

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

Champions Runners-up Third Place Fourth Place

Copa América

Champions Runners-up Third Place Fourth Place

FIFA Confederations Cup

Olympic Games

Pan American Games

All-time head-to-head record

Below is a list of all matches Uruguay have played against FIFA recognised teams Updated as of 18 November 2019.
TeamBest result
100101−1 1 – 0
110020+2 0 – 2
194594689235310−75 5 – 0
941486+2 3 – 0
411256-1 0 – 2
200215−4 3 – 1
43297710931+78 9 – 0
100123−1 3 – 2
7620203697136−39 6 – 0
1010110 1 – 1
110040+4 4 – 0
110031+2 1 – 3
8144181913985+54 6 – 0
632192+7 0 – 4
411910125947+12 7 – 0
148422519+6 2 – 0
640296+3 0 – 2

200228−6 1 – 2
612347−3 3 – 0
483111611543+72 7 – 0
220030+3 0 – 2
115331511+4 4 – 2
210132+1 3 – 0
1034387+1 1 – 5
220081+7 6 – 0
100102−2 2 – 0
111281229−17 1 – 4
1010110 1 – 1
321083+5 5 – 1
312010+1 0 – 1
201123−1 2 – 2
220041+3 1 – 3
6321108+2 2 – 0
110021+1 2 – 1
110031+2 1 – 3
3201115+6 1 – 7
1010110 1 – 1
110052+3 2 – 5
6411156+9 4 – 1
114431112-1 2 – 0
430172+5 0 – 3
84222317+6 1 – 4
211050+5 0 – 5
220053+2 2 – 3
110010+1 0 – 1
110060+6 0 – 6
216782830−2 1 – 4
220020+2 0 – 1
631297+2 2 – 0

211092+7 7 – 0
110021+1 1 – 2
420224−2 0 – 1
211032+1 0 – 1
110030+3 0 – 3
3300101+9 6 – 1
7431182511494+20 6 – 1
6737151510959+50 6 – 0
412154+1 1 – 3
311135−2 1 – 2
421176+1 2 – 0
522183+5 4 – 0
9216815−7 3 – 0
110071+6 1 – 7
3111440 0 – 1
4211104+6 7 – 0
1010330 3 – 3
7313178+9 0 – 7
110021+1 1 – 2
220040+4 0 – 2
321073+4 0 – 3
8611136+7 0 – 2
10055816−8 0 – 0

310236−3 3 – 2
4310134+9 4 – 0
110080+8 0 – 8
110040+4 4 – 0
110031+2 3 – 1
1010000 0 – 0
110032+1 2 – 3
110032+1 2 – 3
110020+2 0 – 2
723298+1 3 – 0
220060+6 3 – 0

3118856023+37 5 – 0
211010+1 1 – 0
Total 94042022329714871160+327 9 – 0

Recent results and fixtures

2019

2020

2021

Players

Current squad

The following 26 players were called up to the preliminary squad for World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Ecuador on 26 and 31 March respectively. The call-ups were withdrawn after the matches were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Caps and goals correct as of 18 November 2019, subsequent to the match against Argentina.

Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up to the Uruguay squad in the past 12 months.
WIT Withdrew from final squad

PRE Preliminary squad

INJ Injured

RET Retired from international football

Previous squads

;FIFA World Cup
;FIFA Confederations Cup
;South American Championship / Copa América

Records

As of 18 November 2019, subsequent to the match against Argentina.

Most capped players

Top goalscorers

Most participations in the World Cup

Most goals scored in the World Cup

Most games played in the World Cup

World Cup winning captains

Record against teams in the World Cup

after the Quarter-finals match against France.
Opponents
412123
310236
301236
321063
311112
211070
211010
210143
210134
210174
200228
210123
210122
202022
220031
200225
110021
110010
110040
110030
110020
110020
110010
110080
110010
101033
101011
101011
100123
100124
100113
100113
100113
110030
Total 562412208774

Friendlies

†played consecutively with Taça do Atlantica in 1976

Management

Competitive matches only as of 14 June 2016
YearsCoachPWDLGFGAWin %Tournaments
1902–1914Selection committee30107134546 1905 Copa Lipton – Champions
1906 Copa Lipton – Runners-up
1906 Copa Newton – Runners-up
1907 Copa Lipton – Runners-up
1907 Copa Newton – Runners-up
1908 Copa Lipton – Runners-up
1908 Copa Newton – Runners-up
1908 Copa Premio Honor Argentino – Champions
1909 Copa Lipton – Runners-up
1909 Copa Premio Honor Argentino – Runners-up
1909 Copa Newton – Runners-up
1910 Copa Centenario de la Revolución de Mayo – Runners-up
1910 Copa Lipton – Champions
1910 Copa Premio Honor Argentino – Champions
1911 Copa Lipton – Champions
1911 Copa Newton – Runners-up
1911 Copa Premio Honor Argentino – Runners-up
1911 Copa Premio Honor Uruguayo – Champions
1912 Copa Lipton – Champions
1912 Copa Premio Honor Uruguayo – Champions
1912 Copa Newton – Champions
1912 Copa Montevideo – Runners-up
1913 Copa Presidente Roque Sáenz Peña – Runners-up
1913 Copa Lipton – Runners-up
1913 Copa Premio Honor Uruguayo – Champions
1913 Copa Newton – Champions
1915–1916 Jorge Pacheco
Alfredo Foglino
114071820 1915 Copa Premio Honor Uruguayo – Runners-up
1915 Copa Lipton – Runners-up
1915 Copa Newton – Champions
1916 Copa Lipton – Runners-up
1916 Copa Newton – Runners-up
1916 South American Championship – Champions
1916 Copa Premio Honor Uruguayo – Runners-up
1916 Copa Círculo de la Empresa – Runners-up
1917–1919 Ramón Platero1710433115 1917 Copa Lipton – Runners-up
1917 Copa Newton – Champions
1917 South American Championship – Champions
1918 Copa Premio Honor Uruguayo – Champions
1918 Copa Premio Honor Argentino – Runners-up
1918 Copa Lipton – Runners-up
1918 Copa Newton – Runners-up
1919 Copa Premio Honor Uruguayo – Champions
1919 Copa Lipton – Champions
1919 Copa Newton – Champions
1919 South American Championship – Runners-up
1919–1920 Severino Castillo4400154 1919 Copa Premio Honor Argentino – Champions
1919 Copa Círculo de Prensa – Champions
1920 Copa Premio Honor Uruguayo – Champions
1920 Copa Newton
1920–1922 Ernesto Fígoli9513147 1920 South American Championship – Champions
1921 South American Championship – Third place
1922 Copa pitote – Champions
1922 Copa Premio Honor Uruguayo – Champions
1922–1923 Pedro Olivieri623153 1922 South American Championship – Third place
1922 Copa Newton – Champions
1923 Copa Lipton – Champions
1923–1924 Leonardo De Lucca631289 1923 Copa Premio Honor Uruguayo – Runners-up
1923 South American Championship – Champions
1924 Copa Newton – Runners-up
1924 Ernesto Fígoli '5500202 1924 Olympics – Champions
1924–1925 Ernesto Meliante8521112 1924 South American Championship – Champions
1925 Copa Bossio – Champions
1926 Andrés Mazali
Ernesto Fígoli '
4400172 1926 South American Championship – Champions
1927–1928 José Lago Millán
Luis Grecco
6303165 1927 Copa Newton – Runners-up
1927 South American Championship – Runners-up
1927 Copa Lipton – Champions
1928 Copa Newton – Runners-up
1928 Primo Giannoti5410125 1928 Olympics – Champions
1928–1932 Alberto Suppici126242416 1928 Copa Lipton – Runners-up
1929 Copa Newton – Champions
1929 Copa Lipton – Champions
1929 South American Championship – Third place
1930 FIFA World Cup – Champions
1931 Taça Rio Branco – Runners-up
1932 Taça Rio Branco – Runners-up
1932–1935 Raúl Blanco430172 1935 Copa Héctor Gómez – Runners-up
1935 South American Championship – Champions
1935–1941 Alberto Suppici 24111124746 1935 Copa Juan Mignaburu – Runners-up
1936 Copa Juan Mignaburu – Runners-up
1936 Copa Héctor Gómez – Champions
1937 South American Championship – Third place
1937 Copa Newton – Runners-up
1937 Copa Lipton – Runners-up
1938 Copa Juan Mignaburu – Runners-up
1938 Copa Héctor Gómez – Runners-up
1939 South American Championship – Runners-up
1940 Taça Rio Branca – Champions
1940 Copa Héctor Gómez – Champions
1940 Copa Juan Mignaburu – Runners-up
1941 South American Championship – Runners-up
1941–1942 Pedro Cea100114 1942 Copa Newton – Runners-up
1942–1945 José Nasazzi1610334115 1942 South American Championship – Champions
1942 Copa Lipton – Runners-up
1943 Copa Juan Mignaburu – Champions
1943 Copa Héctor Gómez – Runners-up
1945 South American Championship – Fourth place
1945 Copa Lipton – Runners-up
1945–1946 Aníbal Tejada3111710 1945 Copa Newton – Runners-up
1946 Taça Rio Branco – Champions
1946 Guzmán Vila Gomensoro52031191946 South American Championship – Fourth place
1988–1990 Óscar Tabárez 34178950281989 Copa América – Runners-up
2006– Óscar Tabárez 1336635322251872007 Copa América – Fourth place
2010 FIFA World Cup – Fourth place
2011 Copa América – Champions

Emblem

Uruguay displays four stars in its emblem – uniquely in world football, it includes their two gold medals in the 1924 Olympics and 1928 Olympics, which are regarded as FIFA world championships by the governing body.
The 1924 FIFA Congress ruled, “on condition that the Olympic Football Tournament takes place in accordance with the Regulations of FIFA, the latter shall recognize this as a world football championship”, and the 1924 and 1928 championships are regarded as equivalent to World Cups in the 1984 Official History of FIFA.
Hence Uruguay has two stars for 1924 and 1928 and 2 stars from the two World Cups from 1930 and 1950.

Rivalries

Argentina

Uruguay has a long-standing rivalry with Argentina, that came into existence when they beat their South American neighbors 4–2 in the first World Cup final, held in Montevideo in 1930. As a response, the following day saw an angry mob threw stones at the Uruguayan consulate in the Argentinian capital Buenos Aires.

Brazil

Uruguay has an old rivalry with their South American neighbors. Their best known match was played at the 1950 World Cup which was held in Brazil where they defeated the host with the result 2–1 in front of almost 200,000 spectators at the Maracanã Stadium, thus winning the competition and earning their second World Cup title.

Honours

Note: Below is a list of achievements by the senior national team