Londrina · Attacker · #77 · 19 yrs
Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani are two of the biggest names that will be missing the 2026 Word Cup with Uruguay national team. Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani have been the two defining strikers of Uruguay‘s golden generation in the 21st century, standing as the most prolific scorers in the nation’s history. Yet neither of them will be suiting up for La Celeste at the 2026 World Cup. Since Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa took charge in 2023, he has been tasked with steering Uruguay through a generational transition ahead of and beyond the 2026 tournament. That process has involved a significant overhaul, leaving behind several figures from the squad that memorably reached the semifinals of the 2010 World Cup. In a striking reflection of that shift, Bielsa named only three forwards in his 26-man roster for North America, Darwin Nuñez, Federico Viñas and Rodrigo Aguirre, all natural center forwards capable of leading the line as a traditional striker. Why aren’t Suarez and Cavani at the 2026 World Cup? Both Suarez and Cavani are absent from the 2026 World Cup because they have each retired from international duty. Cavani’s final appearance for Uruguay came at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, while Suarez played his last game in the national jersey in September 2024 against Paraguay. Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani of Uruguay. Under Bielsa, Cavani was never called up once, while Suarez made his exit from international football a few months after the 2024 Copa América. Shortly after that farewell, the Inter Miami forward went public with his criticism of Bielsa, accusing the Argentine coach of fostering a negative atmosphere within the squad. In the months that followed, Suarez softened his stance and left open the possibility of accepting a call-up if Bielsa ever extended one. That call never came, and the 39-year-old will be watching from the stands as one more supporter cheering on La Celeste. Despite their absence, the legacies both forwards have built with Uruguay will endure for generations. Suarez stands as the all-time leading scorer in Uruguayan soccer history with 69 goals in 143 appearances, while Cavani sits in second place with 58 goals in 136 matches. Suarez and Cavani surpassed by Muslera in World Cup appearances While Suarez and Cavani have written their final chapters with the national team, goalkeeper Fernando Muslera has earned one last moment in the spotlight. His inclusion in the 2026 squad makes him the first Uruguayan player ever to appear at five different World Cups, moving ahead of a distinguished group that includes Suarez, Cavani, Diego Godin, Pedro Virgilio Rocha and Martin Caceres, all of whom reached four appearances. Atletico Madrid defender Jose Maria Gimenez, meanwhile, is set to make his fourth World Cup appearance with this edition, joining that same group. At 31, Gimenez still has a realistic shot at making the 2030 tournament and potentially joining Muslera in the five-edition club.
Before the Geopolitics World Cup circus gets under way, Real Madrid would like you to know there’s always another show in town. Los Blancos have an odd, difficult relationship with the tournament. Spain’s 2010 triumph involved Sergio Ramos, Xabi Alonso and Iker Casillas being bolted on to a raft of Barcelona players, somewhat demeaning to any aristocratic pretensions. Back in 2018, Madrid upended the Spain national team by snaffling away Julen Lopetegui to be their coach, such that he was sent back from Russia before a ball was kicked. After Fernando Hierro, a Madrileno final boss, took the reins, the tournament was a bust for Spain, and relations have been strained ever since.Yesterday Ray Anselmo questioned why Andoni Iraola would join Liverpool, who won something last year and then weren’t satisfied with fifth place and the quarter-finals of Bigger Cup this year. Is it safe to assume that Ray is a Spurs fan?” – Neale Redington.Jon Millard is stout in his defence of AOR musos but I disagree with his comment that Tapestry (Carole King) has no links with ‘Antipodean Journeymen’. Surely So Far Away and Home Again allude to travels of the two Australasian teams – the latter probably applying a short time after the teams land in North America. And Where you Lead could apply should one of these teams snatch the first goal in a match? Beautiful is a normal epithet of the game of association football, OK not always bandied about when discussing Kiwi or Aussie football, but y’know. Will You Love Me Tomorrow: of course we will, even when faint hopes are dashed in the group stage. Lastly, I feel the Earth Move is mainly a song about a daily occurrence here in the shaky isles of New Zealand, but should we win a match …” – Rod de Lisle.A simple request on behalf of the rest of us friendless virtual barflies – please publish every single response to Jon Millard’s broadside. The fact that Toto, Boston, Journey, and the entire AOR genre all caught strays in one almighty righteous take makes this tea-timely email worth reading, and I for one am here for it” – Daniel Stauss.To quote the inimitable Half Man Half Biscuit, ‘Everything’s AOR’ (football Daily letters passim). Now can we please move on?” – David Bell. Continue reading...
FC Barcelona made a significant move on Wednesday in their pursuit of Julian Alvarez, as sporting director Deco held a direct meeting with his agent, Fernando Hidalgo.Now, the La Liga champions have a...
