Penedense · Defender · #0 · Brazil · 23 yrs
When Jayden Nelson found out that he will replace the injured Marcelo Flores on Canada’s 26-man roster — when he found out his World Cup dream will be the one that will come true — his first call was to his grandfather.
Uruguayans hope Marcelo Bielsa will have less of a rollercoaster of results so Federico Valverde can inspire them to reach the latter stagesThis article is part of the Guardian’s 2026 World Cup Experts’ Network, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 48 countries who qualified. theguardian.com is running previews from three countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 11 June. Continue reading...
Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa revealed the tactical reasons behind his decision to leave veteran striker Luis Suarez off the 2026 World Cup roster. Following a turbulent period where Luis Suarez publicly criticized Marcelo Bielsa’s managerial methods—alleging mistreatment of players and staff during the 2024 Copa America—the veteran forward unexpectedly offered his services to the manager for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. The Inter Miami striker expressed his willingness to reverse the international retirement he had announced in September 2024, following a World Cup qualifying match against Paraguay at the Estadio Centenario. However, Bielsa omitted Suarez from both the provisional roster and the final 26-man squad announced last Sunday. During a press conference, Bielsa addressed his decision to move forward without Suarez, who had previously noted that he had apologized to the staff members involved in the past dispute. “He communicated that he was willing to contribute by returning to the national team, which I always understood as a valuable and sincere statement,” Bielsa told reporters. Números confirmados para la Copa Mundial de la FIFA 2026 🔢 pic.twitter.com/G6hWvzBGXR— Selección Uruguaya (@Uruguay) June 2, 2026 However, the Argentine manager emphasized that his roster choices are strictly dictated by what he believes is best for the team’s competitive future, opting to prioritize other options in the attack. “I have no personal issues with Suarez, but I chose to select Darwin Nuñez, Federico Viñas, and Rodrigo Aguirre,” Bielsa concluded. “These are decisions where I am guided by nothing other than what I consider best for the sporting success of the team”. Inside the conflict between Suarez and Bielsa Suarez’s international retirement on September 6, 2024, following a scoreless draw against Paraguay, was quickly overshadowed by a media storm that directly impacted Bielsa and several current national team players. Just one month after his emotional farewell match, the Inter Miami striker aired grievances regarding the manager’s behavioral conduct during the tournament in the United States, claiming that Bielsa’s harsh treatment extended to players and Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) staff alike. While a few squad members validated portions of Suarez’s account, Bielsa maintained the backing of key veteran leaders and the AUF executive board. Backed by strong results in the CONMEBOL qualifying standings, Bielsa successfully navigated the internal friction to secure Uruguay‘s ticket to the World Cup, where the Celeste will compete in Group H against Spain, Saudi Arabia, and Cape Verde. By missing out on the final roster, Suarez—who previously featured in South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, Russia 2018, and Qatar 2022—loses his bid to join the elite group of players who have appeared in five different World Cup tournaments.
Southampton boss Tonda Eckert stormed out of a cranky post-match press conference after refusing to answer questions on the ‘spygate’ controversy. Saints were charged with breaching EFL regulations after a member of staff was alleged to have spied on Middlesbrough training ahead of Saturday’s Championship play-off semi-final first leg. Southampton manager Tonda Eckert walked out of his post-match press conference on SaturdayGetty Staff members at the Teesside club are believed to have spotted a man taking pictures and videos of the session. The man in question was asked to delete his footage before he quickly fled to another part of the training complex. Eckert was challenged on the matter following Saturday’s goalless draw at the Riverside Stadium but refused to answer any questions that went beyond the club’s official statement. Southampton’s press officer intervened to tell reporters that the only questions they will be answering will be on Tuesday’s second leg at St Mary’s. But, when the next ‘spygate’ question was asked, Eckert and the press officer walked out of the press conference together. Speaking after the full-time whistle, Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg was damnign in his assessment of the controversy. “I couldn’t believe my eyes or ears. Couldn’t believe it when I was told a second time, or third,” the Swede told Sky Sports. “It’s quite clear that they – and I don’t mean the players or fans of Southampton – I think they are brilliant and gave nothing to do with it. But, someone has made a decision to cheat. “We were trying to focus on the session as much as we could, we had an important game. “I’ve seen some saying it’s not a big advantage but it is. Take today for example. Middlesbrough’s fans made their feelings towards Southampton felt before the matchGetty Boro’ boss Kim Hellberg expressed his annoyance at Southampton’s alleged anticsGetty “We have never used that first-half shape before, that was impossible to know. It’s just unfair, and I think everyone in this room agrees. “I feel anger, but there has to be respect too between each other that they have totally failed in. “I think it’s disappointing because it’s a big game. They tried to get an advantage in an unfair way.” He continued: “Who would get the fine? Should they pay it to the EFL? Okay. “So they see everything we do, and…we will see what happens, I don’t know. I just think it’s weird they try to cheat in this type of game. “Didn’t [Marcelo] Bielsa pay £200,000 when it wasn’t a law? I think a lot of clubs would pay that amount to try and get the advantage two days before a game. “You don’t do this, you don’t plan to do this. Every team in the Championship should be angry. It is wrong, it is wrong.”
