Uruguay and Chile are set to clash in the opening round of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers at the Estadio Centenario.
Both teams will be aiming to secure their spot in the highly anticipated 2026 World Cup, which will see seven countries from South America participate.
For Uruguay, qualifying for the World Cup has been a consistent achievement in recent years. They are on track to reach their fifth consecutive tournament, marking an impressive milestone in their history.
Despite finishing fifth in the playoff spot in the qualifying rounds of previous World Cups, they have managed to secure their spot through intense intercontinental playoffs.
However, their last two qualifying campaigns have been much smoother, finishing as the runners-up in 2018 and third behind Brazil and Argentina in reaching the Qatar finals.
The CONMEBOL qualifying format is known for its competitiveness and unforgiving nature, making every match crucial, especially when played at home.
Uruguay understands the significance of a strong start and will be aiming for nothing less than a win in their opener.
With an unbeaten streak in 2023, including draws against Japan and three consecutive victories over South Korea, Nicaragua, and Cuba, Uruguay is determined to maintain their winning momentum under the guidance of manager Marcelo Bielsa.
Having achieved significant success in the past, including a semi-final appearance in 2010 and impressive performances in 2014 and 2018, Uruguay has high expectations.
However, their disappointing performance in Qatar led to a managerial change, with Bielsa taking charge and aiming to restore the team’s competitive edge.
Chile, on the other hand, faces the challenge of poor away form as they head to Montevideo. They have failed to secure a victory in their previous eight matches outside of their home country.
Manager Eduardo Berizzo must address this issue if they intend to compete for the qualifying spots after two successive failures to reach the finals.
Chile once enjoyed a golden era in the mid-2010s, showcasing their strength by reaching the knockout stages of the 2014 World Cup and winning back-to-back Copa America titles in 2015 and 2016.
However, their form has declined since narrowly missing out on qualification for Russia 2018. Despite a recent improvement in 2023, with losses to South Korea, Tunisia, Ghana, Morocco, and Poland, along with draws against Qatar and Slovakia, Chile still has much to prove.
Team News:
Uruguay has been hit with several injuries to key players, including Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo. Midfielders Rodrigo Bentancur, Giorgian De Arrascaeta, and Matias Vecino will also be absent due to injury.
However, new Paris Saint-Germain signing Manuel Ugarte and Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde are expected to provide a strong midfield presence.
Notable omissions from the squad include Lucas Torreira, Sebastian Coates, and Jose Maria Gimenez.
Chile’s legendary trio of Alexis Sanchez, Arturo Vidal, and Gary Medel remain in the squad and are likely to feature, boasting an impressive combined total of 451 international caps.
Charles Aranguiz is also closing in on his 100th cap. Ben Brereton Diaz, who had a standout performance in the 2021 Copa America, will partner Sanchez up top. However, experienced goalkeeper Claudio Bravo has been excluded from the squad.
Possible Starting Lineups:
Uruguay:
- Rochet
- Puma Rodriguez,
- Caceres
- Vina
- Olivera
- Valverde
- Ugarte
- De La Cruz
- Pellistri
- Gomez
- Nunez
Chile:
- Arias
- Delgado
- Medel
- Maripan
- Suazo
- Pulgar
- Valdes
- Aranguiz
- Vidal
- Sanchez
- Brereton Diaz
Prediction: Uruguay 2-0 Chile
Uruguay holds an impressive history against Chile, having never lost a home game in their international clashes.
Despite key injuries, Uruguay will be confident in maintaining this record and securing a victory. While Chile has shown improvement in recent matches, their struggles away from home may hinder their chances in this tough encounter.