With a "Brazilian" touch, Uruguay begins its journey to the 2026 World Cup

Uruguay debuts in the 2026 World Cup this Monday (15), against Saudi Arabia, at the Hard Rock Stadium, in the United States, carrying a strong influence of Brazilian football in its squad. Of those called up by Marcelo Bielsa for the World Cup, seven currently play in Series A of the Brazilian Championship, transforming the country's clubs into one of the main bases of the celestial team.

The match opens Uruguay's participation in Group H, which also includes Spain and Cape Verde. Two-time world champion, Celeste arrives at the tournament betting on the combination of experienced athletes and a generation that has gained ground in the continent's main championships.

Among the names with a direct link to Brazil is goalkeeper Sergio Rochet, a member of the national team and an Internacional player since 2023. The archer has established himself as one of the leaders of the group and should start the competition as owner of the position.

In midfield, Flamengo appears as the club with the greatest representation. Nicolás De La Cruz and Giorgian De Arrascaeta are important pieces in the structure set up by Bielsa. Arrascaeta, in fact, returns to the national team after recovering from a broken collarbone suffered in May. Another red and black representative is right-back Guillermo Varela, a frequent option in the Uruguayan defensive system.

Palmeiras is also present on the list with two players. Midfielder Emiliano Martínez is part of the team's containment sector, while Joaquín Piquerez remains one of the alternatives for left back. Fluminense is represented by Agustín Canobbio, used by Bielsa in repositioning roles on the sides of the field.

In addition to the athletes active in the Brasileirão, the squad also brings together other names with relevant links to national football. Full-back Matías Viña belongs to Flamengo and is on loan to River Plate during the 2026 season. Striker Rodrigo Aguirre, currently in Mexican football, had spells at Botafogo throughout his career.

One of the most curious connections with Brazil is outside the national pitch. Defender Ronald Araújo, one of the leaders of the Uruguayan defense, was born in Rivera, a Uruguayan city geographically integrated with Santana do Livramento, in Rio Grande do Sul. Raised in a border environment, the Barcelona defender speaks fluent Portuguese and maintains family ties with the Brazilian side of the region.

With a strong presence of players known to Brazilian fans, Uruguay begins its journey in the World Cup in search of a positive start before the toughest challenges in the bracket. The expectation is that Marcelo Bielsa's team will compete with Spain for the lead in Group H and advance to the knockout stages of the World Cup.

See the ranking of the most valuable squads of the World Cup

Source: CNN