Suarez, Cavani in Uruguay World Cup squad for fourth time

• Uruguay is the latest national team to announce their squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup
• The head coach Diego Alonso has selected veteran strikers Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez
• Real Madrid’s inform midfielder Federico Valverde has also made the cut for his first ever World Cup

Veteran Uruguay strikers Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani have earned selection to their fourth consecutive FIFA World Cup, headlining Uruguay’s squad announcement on Thursday evening by the nation’s head coach.

Cavani, now 35 years old, was considered in doubt due to a recurring ankle injury, which has seen him complete a full 90 minutes just once this La Liga season for Valencia the team he joined in the summer transfer window.

Following that 90-minute performance, he was withdrawn just 18 minutes into Valencia’s following game against Barcelona on October 29, and is yet to return to full fitness.

Edinson Cavani in a past match for Uruguay. The striker will play in his fourth consecutive FIFA World Cup tournament in Qatar this year after being selected in the team’s squad. | PHOTO: Courtesy |

Suarez, who is also 35 years, played in both September friendlies, contributing an assist in a 2-0 win against fellow World Cup qualifiers Canada to indicate he is still at the required level, despite playing his club football for Nacional in the Uruguayan First Division.

While the seasoned strike partnership will provide experience, Uruguay’s squad also has a strong mix of younger emerging talent, headlined by 24-year-old Real Madrid star Federico Valverde who is in fine form heading into the tournament in Qatar nine days from now.

Cavani and Valverde lead an impressive group joining the squad from La Liga, which includes centre-backs Ronald Araujo – who has been selected despite being a doubt as well from Barcelona and Atletico Madrid’s Jose Gimenez.

Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde has been selected by the Uruguay national team and will play his first ever FIFA Word Cup. | PHOTO: Courtesy |

Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez, Tottenham’s Rodrigo Bentancur and Manchester United’s Facundo Pellistri are the squad’s only Premier League representatives, while Napoli’s Mathias Olivera, Roma’s Matias Vina and Lazio’s Matias Vecino represent Serie A.

Uruguay begin their campaign on November 24 against South Korea, before facing Portugal on November 28 and wrapping up Group H against Ghana on December 2.

Full Uruguay squad:

Defenders: Fernando Muslera (Galatasaray), Sergio Rochet (Nacional), Sebastián Sosa (Independiente); Ronald Araujo (Barcelona), Martín Caceres (LA Galaxy), Sebastian Coates (Sporting CP), Jose Gimenez (Atletico Madrid), Diego Godín (Velez Sarsfield), Mathias Olivera (Napoli), Jose Luis Rodriguez (Nacional), Guillermo Varela (Flamengo), Matias Vina (Roma);

Midfielders: Giorgian de Arrascaeta (Flamengo), Rodrigo Bentancur (Tottenham), Nicolas de la Cruz (River Plate), Lucas Torreira (Galatasaray), Manuel Ugarte (Sporting CP), Federico Valverde (Real Madrid), Matías Vecino (Lazio);

Forwards: Agustín Cannobio (Athletico Paranaense), Edinson Cavani (Valencia), Maxi Gomez (Trabzonspor), Darwin Nunez (Liverpool), Facundo Pellistri (Manchester United), Luis Suarez (Nacional), Facundo Torres (Orlando City).