Diego Forlán Names First Uruguay Squad as Federico Valverde and Darwin Núñez Headline 26-Man Call-Up

New Uruguay head coach Diego Forlán has announced his first senior squad since taking charge, selecting 26 players for the upcoming September-October international window. 

The squad combines several established names from European football with players competing across different leagues, as Forlán begins shaping his team for the next phase of Uruguay’s international programme.

Among the headline names is Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde, who remains a central figure in the national setup. The squad also includes Liverpool loanee Ronald Araújo, experienced defender José María Giménez, midfielders Rodrigo Bentancur and Lucas Torreira, and forward Darwin Núñez, who has been selected despite his current club situation.

Forlán, one of Uruguay’s most recognisable footballers from the previous generation, now faces the challenge of translating his experience at international level into his first assignment as head coach of the senior national team.

Forlán has opted for three goalkeepers in his 26-man squad. Santiago Mele, Cristopher Fiermarin and Thiago Cardozo have all been included, providing the coaching staff with three options between the posts during the international window.

The defensive unit is considerably larger, with 10 players selected. Guillermo Varela, Nahitan Nández, Santiago Mouriño, Sebastián Cáceres, Ronald Araújo, José María Giménez, Juan Rodríguez, Mathías Olivera, Juan Manuel Sanabria and Joaquín Piquerez form the defensive contingent. Araújo is one of the most prominent names in the group. The Barcelona defender is currently on loan at Liverpool and has been retained by Uruguay for Forlán’s first international window.

Giménez also brings considerable experience to the squad. Having spent more than a decade associated with Atlético de Madrid, the defender is now set for a new chapter after moving on loan to Deportivo La Coruña, according to the supplied squad information.

Valverde Leads a Strong Midfield

Uruguay’s midfield features a mixture of established international players and younger options. Federico Valverde is arguably the most prominent name in the department. The Real Madrid star has established himself as one of Uruguay’s key players and will be part of Forlán’s first senior squad.

He is joined by Rodrigo Bentancur, Lucas Torreira, Facundo Bernal, Brian Rodríguez, Rodrigo Zalazar, Facundo Pellistri, Maximiliano Araújo and Giorgian de Arrascaeta. The selection gives Forlán considerable variety in midfield, with players capable of operating in different roles and systems. Bentancur and Torreira provide international experience, while Valverde brings his established presence at one of Europe’s biggest clubs.

Pellistri, meanwhile, offers an option in wide areas, while De Arrascaeta adds further creativity and experience to the group. Forlán's first squad therefore provides the new coach with a relatively experienced midfield core as he begins to implement his ideas.

One of the most notable selections is Darwin Núñez, who remains part of Uruguay’s plans despite his recent change in club circumstances. The forward is currently on loan at Al-Diriyah, having moved away from Liverpool. His inclusion underlines his importance to the national team and gives Forlán an established attacking option for the upcoming window.

Núñez is joined in the forward department by Martín Satriano, Rodrigo Aguirre and Federico Viñas. The four forwards provide different options for Forlán as he evaluates his preferred attacking combinations. Núñez's international experience will be particularly valuable as the coach begins working with the squad for the first time.

Forlán's appointment represents an interesting development for Uruguayan football. A former Uruguay international and one of the country's most celebrated players, he now moves into the senior coaching role with the responsibility of preparing the national side for its next international cycle. His first squad suggests that experience will remain an important component of the team. Valverde, Bentancur, Torreira, Araújo, Giménez, Núñez and De Arrascaeta are among the established names selected, while the inclusion of several other players gives Forlán the opportunity to assess the depth available to him.

The September-October window will therefore serve as an early opportunity for the new coach to evaluate his squad in competitive international conditions. Rather than representing a complete departure from the established Uruguay setup, the 26-man selection combines familiar faces with opportunities for players further down the depth chart.

Full Uruguay Squad

Goalkeepers: Santiago Mele, Cristopher Fiermarin, Thiago Cardozo

Defenders: Guillermo Varela, Nahitan Nández, Santiago Mouriño, Sebastián Cáceres, Ronald Araújo, José María Giménez, Juan Rodríguez, Mathías Olivera, Juan Manuel Sanabria, Joaquín Piquerez

Midfielders: Rodrigo Bentancur, Facundo Bernal, Lucas Torreira, Federico Valverde, Brian Rodríguez, Rodrigo Zalazar, Facundo Pellistri, Maximiliano Araújo, Giorgian de Arrascaeta

Forwards: Martín Satriano, Rodrigo Aguirre, Federico Viñas, Darwin Núñez

With his first squad now confirmed, Forlán's next task will be to turn a group featuring established international stars and emerging options into a cohesive unit. The September-October window will offer the first indication of how the former Uruguay forward intends to approach his new role and how this squad fits into his plans for the national team.