Winners of the inaugural FIFA World Cup in 1930, Uruguay are once again a force to be reckoned with almost a century later.
The Uruguayans have every reason to believe they can stamp their mark on the 22nd edition of the most lucrative sporting competition on the planet. La Celeste pose a serious threat as a potential dark horse and, despite some weaknesses in the team, most teams would generally want to avoid facing them.
Despite having the second-smallest population of all 32 nations at this World Cup, Uruguay almost always have high expectations when the quadrennial tournament comes around. Qatar 2022 will be their 14th appearance at the World Cup finals and they have reached the final-four (or beyond) on five occasions.
(Photo: Getty Images)
The South Americans have progressed to the knockouts at each of the last three editions of the World Cup, reaching the semi-finals in South Africa, the last-16 in Brazil 2014, and the quarter-finals last time out in Russia.
A handful of players represented La Celeste at all three events and this is certain to be a fourth and final showing at the World Cup finals for this particular group of Uruguayan veterans.
Long-serving national team captain Diego Godín, 36, as well as the outfield trio of Luis Suárez, Edinson Cavani, and Martin Cáceres, all 35, are braced for a last hurrah on the grandest stage, and potentially on the international scene awhole. First-choice goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, 36, is also included in a World Cup squad for a fourth time, and all five of these players have earned 100+ caps for Uruguay.
Ahead of the tournament, skipper Godín has played 159 times for his country – more than any other Uruguayan player in history. Suárez has scored 68 goals in 134 outings for La Celeste, while Cavani has 58 goals in 133 appearances. With a combined age of 70 years, the pair of seasoned centre-forwards are aiming to make a statement of intent in what could be their final joint act for their beloved home nation.
(Photo: Getty Images)
Central defenders José Giménez and Sebastián Coates are both at the World Cup finals for a third time, though it is unlikely the latter will be involved at the 2026 showpiece.
Giorgian de Arrascaeta has been touted as one of the best players outside of Europe. The attacking midfielder went to the 2018 World Cup and he has amassed 40 international caps with Uruguay. De Arrascaeta plays in the Brazilian Serie A since 2015, currently with Flamengo, and the 28-year-old has celebrated eight titles during his four years in Rio de Janeiro.
Moreover, there are several exciting talents braced for World Cup debuts, namely midfielder Federico Valverde and attacker Darwin Núñez. Ronald Araújo has been nursing a thigh injury since early October and it is unclear whether the Barcelona defender will be in contention for his country. Winger Facundo Pellistri, 20, is also in line for a first taste of World Cup action.
Despite an uncertain backline, Uruguay aren’t short for options in midfield and attack. Up-and-coming striker Núñez could hardly ask for better mentors than the pair of Cavani and Suárez, who prepare to pass the torch onto a Núñez-led next-gen.
Although they are no longer at the peak of their powers, Cavani and Suárez are two of the greatest goalscorers of their generation and Núñez, 23, could certainly take a leaf or two out of their books on finding the back of the net.
Uruguay’s engine room appears well-oiled with the all-rounded trio of Valverde, Bentancur, and Torreira set to take up their positions in the centre of the pitch. As mentioned, De Arrascaeta is an option in an advanced role, while experienced midfielder Matias Vecino is also in reserve.
This league season Real Madrid utility midfielder Valverde, 24, has added goals to his game, so far notching eight from 19 games in LaLiga and the Champions League. He registered just six goals throughout the past five seasons, combined, across all competitions.
Valverde’s national colleague Bentancur has also been clinical in front of goal this term:
2022/23 is now Rodrigo Bentancur’s highest ever scoring season:
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) November 12, 2022
2015 – ❌
2016 – ⚽
2017 – ❌
2017/18 – ❌
2018/19 – ⚽⚽
2018/19 – ⚽
2019/20 – ❌
2020/21 – ❌
2021/22 – ❌
2022/23 – ⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽
Enjoying life in front of goal this season. 🇺🇾 pic.twitter.com/CgjEtgwWvY
South Korea need no introduction to the global stage. The Tigers of Asia are competing at a 10th straight World Cup finals stretching back to 1986, albeit only twice have they advanced from the groups.
The South Koreans’ fondest memories the World Cup would be, unquestionably, from the 2002 event they co-hosted with Japan. South Korea caught everyone by surprise, topping their group above USA, Portugal, and Poland before they overcame another two European heavyweights, Italy and Spain, in the first two knockout rounds.
South Korea went on to lose to Germany in the semis and to Turkey in the third-place play-off, however the underdogs put in a truly courageous effort on home soil – so much so they have failed to replicate their heroics at the four tournaments since. In South Africa 2010, South Korea advanced to the last-16, crashing out to none other than their next opponents: Uruguay.
20 years ago, only two South Korean internationals played their club football outside of Asia. Presently, eight of the current 26-man squad are signed to first-tier European clubs.
Their most prominent and popular component, Heung-min Son is set to be involved following an injury scare early November. The South Korea captain and talisman sustained a facial injury in Tottenham’s final UEFA Champions League group game but the 30-year-old forward has been given the all-clear to compete in Qatar.
™️@Sonny7 📸 #FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/dGUoC3Osgc
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 18, 2022
Son’s national teammate, Hee-chan Hwang also plies his trade in the Premier League since signing with Wolves in summer 2021. In defence, Min-jae Kim is expected to be a rock at the back for his country, just as he has been for Serie A leaders Napoli this season.
In the final round of World Cup qualifiers (AFC) South Korea ended 2nd in their group, 2 points shy of Iran. The Tigers did, however, concede the fewest goals (3) among all 12 nations involved in the third and final round of qualifying.
Uruguay go head-to-head with South Korea in the first instalment of a Group H double-header on Thursday. They kick-off at 16H00 local time (13H00 GMT), three hours before Portugal face Ghana.
Bet365 have Uruguay to win at odds of 1.70; South Korea are 5.50 to win their World Cup opener; 3.60 for a draw.
