Luis Suarez will miss the 2026 World Cup.

(NLĐO) - Coach Marcelo Bielsa has announced the list of 26 Uruguayan players for the 2026 World Cup, without Luis Suarez, the country's all-time leading scorer.

The Argentinian coach's decision seems to mark the end of Luis Suarez's career, one of the greatest players in South American football history. What Uruguayan fans have been most interested in recently has finally come true after the Uruguayan Football Federation announced the official 26-player squad for the 2026 World Cup.

Luis Suarez was not called up for the 2026 World Cup.

In fact, Luis Suarez's absence from Marcelo Bielsa's squad traveling to North America wasn't too surprising, as many sources in Uruguay and Europe had previously indicated that the 39-year-old striker's chances of returning to the national team were very slim.

Nevertheless, Suarez's official exclusion is still a source of regret because he is the greatest goalscorer in the history of "La Celeste" with 69 goals in over 140 appearances for the national team. While his contemporaries like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo still have a chance to compete in this World Cup, Suarez will certainly only be able to watch the world 's biggest football event on television.

Luis Suarez holds the record for most goals scored for the Uruguay national team.

In September 2024, Suarez announced his retirement from the Uruguayan national team after more than 17 years of service. However, in recent months, the Inter Miami striker has left open the possibility of returning if the team needs him for the 2026 World Cup. Furthermore, according to the British media, Suarez is even willing to reverse his decision to retire from international football in order to have the opportunity to participate in his fifth World Cup.

Nevertheless, coach Marcelo Bielsa remains steadfast in his plan to rejuvenate the squad.

The Argentinian coach decided to build the team around a generation of players who are in the prime of their careers, such as Federico Valverde, Manuel Ugarte, Rodrigo Bentancur, Ronald Araujo, and Darwin Nunez.

Coach Marcelo Bielsa remains steadfast in his stance on reforming the Uruguayan national team.

Besides professional matters, the media also recalled past disagreements between Suarez and Bielsa. After retiring from the national team, the former Barcelona striker publicly criticized the Argentinian coach's management style, claiming he had created divisions within the team. Although Suarez later explained and toned down his statements, the relationship between the two is believed to have never truly been mended.

The stars of "La Celeste" at the 2026 World Cup

Not only Suarez, but also the experienced defender Nahitan Nandez was not called up. This shows that Bielsa is willing to sideline veteran players to pursue a philosophy of fast-paced, high-intensity pressing football and a long-term vision.

Uruguay national team

The 2026 World Cup could therefore be the first World Cup since 2010 where fans will no longer see Luis Suarez on the pitch. A glorious chapter in Uruguayan football is closing, making way for a new generation with the ambition to bring La Celeste back to the top of the world.

Uruguay national team roster:

Goalkeepers: Sergio Rochet (Internacional), Fernando Muslera (Estudiantes), Santiago Mele (Monterrey)

Defenders: Guillermo Varela (Flamengo), Ronald Araújo (Barcelona), José María Giménez (Atlético Madrid), Santiago Bueno (Wolves), Sebastián Cáceres (Club America), Mathías Olivera (Napoli), Joaquín Piquerez (Palmeiras), Matías Viña (River Plate)

Midfielders: Manuel Ugarte (Man United), Emiliano Martínez (Palmeiras), Rodrigo Bentancur (Tottenham), Federico Valverde (Real Madrid), Agustín Canobbio (Fluminese), Juan Manuel Sanabria (Real Salt Lake), Giorgian de Arrascaeta (Fluminese), Nicolás de la Cruz (Flamengo), Rodrigo Zalazar (Braga), Facundo Pellistri (Panathinaikos), Maximiliano Araújo (Sporting CP), Brian Rodríguez (Club America)

Forwards: Rodrigo Aguirre (Tigres), Federico Viñas (Real Oviedo), Darwin Núñez (Al Hilal)

Source: https://nld.com.vn/luis-suarez-lo-hen-world-cup-2026-196260601062807169.htm