Marcelo
Fluminense · FA Cup · Goalkeeper · #27 · Brazil · 23 yrs
Marcelo news
Diego Forlán succeeds Marcelo Bielsa as Uruguay manager on temporary basis
Bielsa departed after acrimonious World Cup exitFormer United striker takes charge until March 2027The former Manchester United striker Diego Forlán is poised to take over on a temporary basis as the new Uruguay manager after Marcelo Bielsa left the role following a sorry World Cup campaign.La Celeste were knocked out at the tournament’s group stage after two draws from their three games, before Bielsa took the blame for the disappointing results and performances amid reported tensions in the dressing room. Continue reading...
Uruguay to appoint legend Diego Forlan as head coach after World Cup disaster under Marcelo Bielsa
With Marcelo Bielsa's resign after a disastrous 2026 World Cup, legend Diego Forlan is set to be appointed as next Uruguay's national team head coach Uruguay‘s 2026 World Cup campaign stands as one of the tournament’s biggest disappointments, ending in a shocking group-stage exit. With Marcelo Bielsa stepping down from the head coaching role, Diego Forlan is now set to take over and lead La Celeste into the next cycle. Tipped to challenge Spain for top spot in Group H, Uruguay’s campaign collapsed under the weight of a defeat to La Roja and back-to-back draws against Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde, with the latter one advancing as the second-placed team in the group. Following one of the most stunning early exits in recent Uruguayan football history, Bielsa announced his resignation at a lengthy press conference, leaving the position open. Uruguay Football Federation president Ignacio Alonso confirmed the development in an interview with Teledoce: “If an agreement is reached with Diego Forlan in the coming hours, he will be the coach of the Under-20 national team and for the upcoming friendly matches. He is enthusiastic, although there are still a few details left to finalize.“ The original plan had been for Forlan to take charge of the Uruguay Under-20 side ahead of the South American Championship in January 2027. With AUF elections scheduled for later this year, however, committing to a long-term senior project was not a viable option for either party. Jose Maria Gimenez of Uruguay shows dejection after the 0-1 defeat and elimination against Spain. Given those circumstances, Forlan will serve as interim head coach of the senior national team until March 2027. Whether the arrangement is extended beyond that point will depend entirely on the AUF and whoever holds the federation presidency following the elections. Within that window, Forlan, Uruguay’s third all-time leading scorer with 36 goals and an icon of the country’s memorable 2010 World Cup run, will oversee the September, October, and November international windows, which include 2030 World Cup qualifying fixtures, as well as March 2027 friendlies. In total, the former Manchester United and Villarreal forward will be in charge for eight matches. Forlan on Uruguay’s World Cup Heading into the World Cup, the expectation was that Spain and Uruguay would battle it out for top spot in Group H, with second place likely leading to a Round of 32 clash against Argentina. Instead, just two points from three games sent La Celeste home without even qualifying as one of the best third-placed nations. Forlan has had two previous spells in senior management, taking charge of 11 matches at Peñarol in 2020 and 12 at Atenas de San Carlos in the Uruguayan Second Division in 2021. But when asked about replacing Bielsa during an appearance on La Casa del Kun, the ESPN show hosted by Sergio Agüero, the former forward did not hesitate: “Sure, of course I’d go. Do you have any idea how fast I’d accept?“ Beyond his eagerness to take the job, Forlan was candid about the state of the national team, suggesting the problems ran deeper than the tournament itself: “I prefer a Uruguayan coach, because we have them, although I didn’t dislike the choice of Bielsa. Given where we stand right now, it’s not the time to be tossing around names. Unfortunately, we were already coming in with internal problems; we didn’t arrive in the best shape.”
Why isn’t Ronald Araujo playing for Uruguay against Spain at the 2026 World Cup?
Why is Ronald Araujo not playing for Uruguay vs Spain today? Get the official medical update on the Barcelona defender's calf injury at the 2026 World Cup. Uruguay face their most demanding test of the 2026 World Cup group stage without their defensive crown jewel. As La Celeste prepares to walk out at the Guadalajara Stadium for a high-stakes Group H finale against Spain, Barcelona center-back Ronald Araujo has once again been completely left out of Marcelo Bielsa’s starting lineup. The definitive reason behind the 27-year-old’s high-profile absence is a persistent leg muscle tear in his calf. The injury initially flared up as a minor strain during the first week of June, just as Uruguay was wrapping up domestic training camp in Montevideo. Despite flying back to Barcelona for specialized “express treatment” under his club’s medical team to fast-track his rehabilitation, the injury escalated into a formal muscle tear during full-contact national team drills right before the squad flew out to North America. A severe blow to Marcelo Bielsa’s defensive blueprint Uruguay’s medical camp had originally held out faint hope that extensive physical therapy would allow the defensive anchor to return in time for this exact blockbuster matchup against the 2024 European Champions. However, Bielsa and his technical staff refused to clear Araujo for match action, prioritizing the player’s long-term longevity over aggregate tissue damage. Bielsa took full corporate responsibility for how the situation was managed during press conferences earlier in the tournament, stating: “Araujo arrived with a muscle problem which wasn’t serious… but he suffered a muscle tear. My conclusion is the same. If the player gets injured in training, something is wrong. We feel responsible, but we couldn’t have done anything differently.” When is Ronald Araujo expected to be fully recovered? Araujo is now facing a tight race against the clock to feature in the tournament at all. Bielsa confirmed ahead of today’s kickoff that the center-back is still struggling with significant discomfort and has not yet progressed to high-intensity on-field training with the main group. Uruguay’s internal medical camp has shifted their target to a potential Round of 32 fixture, provided La Celeste can secure the necessary result against Spain to advance from Group H.
How to watch Uruguay vs Spain in USA: 2026 World Cup, Live Stream, TV & Preview
Uruguay and Spain will clash in Matchday 3 of the FIFA World Cup group stage. Here’s everything you need to know to watch the action live in the United States. Here are all of the details of where you can watch Uruguay vs Spain on US television and via legal streaming: WHO Uruguay vs Spain WHAT 2026 World Cup WHEN 8:00pm ET / 5:00pm PT • Friday, June 26, 2026 WHERE Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling, Peacock Premium, FOX, Telemundo and Hulu + Live TV STREAM WATCH NOW Match Overview Uruguay enters the final matchday of the group stage with their tournament hopes hanging by a thread. Marcelo Bielsa‘s side has yet to secure a win and now faces the daunting task of getting a result against one of the pre-tournament favorites. The pressure is immense, as anything less than a victory could see them exit the competition prematurely, a scenario few would have predicted for the South American powerhouse. Spain, meanwhile, arrives with the confidence of a team in formidable form. After a stunning 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia, they sit comfortably atop the group and need only a draw to secure first place. Unbeaten in 32 consecutive matches in regular time, La Roja will look to make a statement and carry their dominant momentum into the knockout rounds, making this a high-stakes clash of desperation versus ambition. Tactical Analysis & Match Context The season trajectories of these two nations could not be more different. Uruguay has stumbled through the group stage, collecting just two points from draws against Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde. Despite creating numerous chances, their inability to convert has been a major concern. In stark contrast, Spain has looked every bit the title contender, shaking off an opening draw to dismantle Saudi Arabia with an attacking masterclass, showcasing their depth and tactical flexibility. The tactical battle will likely pit Spain‘s signature possession-based style against Uruguay’s aggressive, high-press approach. Spain has averaged over 70% possession in the tournament, completing more passes in the final third than any other team. While Uruguay also prefers to control the ball, they will almost certainly be forced into a more reactive, counter-attacking posture. The match will be decided by whether Uruguay can disrupt Spain‘s rhythm and exploit transitions, or if Spain’s patient buildup can unlock a desperate Uruguayan defense. Motivation is clear and potent for both squads. For Uruguay, it’s a matter of survival; they must secure a positive result to have any hope of advancing. For Spain, the goal is to cement their status as group winners, which would likely grant them a more favorable matchup in the Round of 32. While a draw is sufficient for Spain, their recent form suggests they will push for a victory to eliminate any doubt. Head-to-Head Record & Historic Trends Historically, official encounters between Uruguay and Spain have been exceptionally tight. In their three competitive meetings, Spain has claimed one victory, with the other two matches ending in draws. Their most recent clash was in the 2013 Confederations Cup, where Spain emerged with a 2-1 win thanks to goals from Pedro and Roberto Soldado. Looking at their tournament history, the two nations played to a 0-0 draw in the 1990 global tournament and a 2-2 draw in the 1950 edition. These results underscore a long-standing pattern of closely contested matches where neither side has been able to establish clear dominance over the other on the biggest stage. Spain holds a respectable record against CONMEBOL teams in this competition, with six wins, four draws, and five losses in 15 games. Uruguay, however, has often found European opposition challenging, posting a record of 12 wins, 11 draws, and 16 losses across 39 matches. This trend suggests Spain may hold a slight historical edge when facing South American opponents compared to Uruguay‘s record against European sides. Squad News & Projected Lineups Both teams are managing key injuries heading
Football Daily | Uruguay misfire and leave Bielsa-ball in danger of kicking the bucket
Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now!Anyone brave enough to predict the Geopolitics World Cup knockout bracket before the tournament would have clocked that Argentina could meet Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay in the last 32 and thought: “Cor, that’ll be fun”. But nothing seems to be very fun for the two-time winners at the moment. After narrowly avoiding defeat by Saudi Arabia in their opener in Miami, Uruguay were held again by Cape Verde at Hard [Luck] Stadium, meaning Bielsa-ball might not go beyond the group stage after all. “I think that the problem or greatest issue is that we started the second half with the ball and with the victory,” Bielsa sniffed after climbing down from his upturned water bucket. “We lacked a finishing touch,” he added.Greetings from the Houston area! We’ve watched most of the GWC matches on Telemundo (Football Daily letters passim). My Spanish-speaking sister translates for us, and she agrees that the commentators are ‘unabashedly’ biased toward the Spanish-speaking teams. We switch to Fox between matches to hear what Henry, Zlatan, and Rebecca Lowe have to say, but we all agree: Alexi Lalas is just a blowhard. He gets muted frequently. And in case y’all missed it” – Jennifer Jones.Interesting debate about watching football in English or Spanish. I choose to watch most matches in the same way that I read Football Daily – with the sound completely off. And, from time to time, in a very dark room” – Mike Wilner.I was playing on Football Manager earlier when I was offered the job of coaching Tunisia. I politely declined, hung up the phone, and resumed playing my game” – James Vortkamp-Tong.Has anyone else noticed that there are two former managers of Swansea City at the GWC [and a minority stakeholder – Football Daily Ed]? This must mean something: not sure what, though” – Peter Phillips (and no others). Continue reading...
Cape Verde produce another World Cup shock as Varela strike seals Uruguay draw
Wow. The continuation of Cape Verde’s fairytale may have serious repercussions for Marcelo Bielsa and Uruguay. The heroics of Cape Verde in holding Spain to a draw mean Uruguay should have been forewarned and forearmed in Florida. Instead, this tiny nation with a population equivalent to that of Bristol embarrassed World Cup aristocracy once more. What fun, what glorious fun.Uruguay now head into Group H’s final game against Spain with their tournament involvement in serious jeopardy after having already failed to beat Saudi Arabia. Cape Verde will hold high and legitimate hopes of seeing off the Saudis on Friday. They might not even need to, with an aggregate of three points from another draw potentially good enough for the last 32. The Blue Sharks, swimming in bigger waters than ever before, are the story of this World Cup. Uruguay have desperately underperformed thus far. Continue reading...
How Uruguay’s win, draw, or loss vs Cape Verde could impact the 2026 World Cup Group H standings
Uruguay are not among the top contenders ahead the 2026 World Cup. Moreover, their draw against Saudi Arabia has cast more doubts on their prospects, making the match against Cape Verde a really important one. Therefore, we will analyze how a win, a draw, or a loss will affect the Group H standings. Despite Uruguay not being among the top contenders for the 2026 World Cup, they are one of the most historic national teams. Therefore, their draw against Saudi Arabia raised serious doubts about their competitiveness. They face Cape Verde today, one of the most defensive teams, needing a victory to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stages alive. Therefore, we will analyze how a win, a draw, or a loss will affect their position in the standings. Cape Verde impressed in their debut in the competition. Relying on a defensive strategy, they managed to secure an important draw against Spain. With this in mind, they aim to repeat the same approach and take advantage of the opponent’s high press to attack on the counter. Therefore, the presence of Jovane Cabral and Livramento could be key in looking for a goal and then tightening up defensively. Without having a goalscorer in full form, Marcelo Bielsa’s team could have serious problems scoring against Cape Verde. With this in mind, the presence of Maximiliano Araujo and Federico Valverde is key, as they could open spaces on the wings. Additionally, Darwin Núñez would have the chance to shine, scoring his first goal in the 2026 World Cup. However, the midfield could surprise with its scoring power, as they need a victory to chase the knockout stages. What happens if Uruguay win over Cape Verde? In case Uruguay secure a victory over Cape Verde, they would immediately guarantee a place in the 2026 World Cup Round of 32. Nonetheless, they would need to win by a margin of five goals to secure first place in Group H. If they then secure a victory over Saudi Arabia and Spain lose or draw, they would have first place guaranteed, giving them an easier path to reach the final. Players of Uruguay celebrate as Maxi Araujo (not pictured) #20 of Uruguay scores a goal. What happens if Uruguay draw with Cape Verde? After the draw in their debut against Saudi Arabia, Uruguay would complicate their future in the 2026 World Cup if they draw today against Cape Verde. With only two points in Group H, they would need a victory against Spain in the last match. However, they would have a difficult task to secure the first place in the group as they would depend on the results of the other teams. What happens if Uruguay lose to Cape Verde? If Uruguay are defeated by Saudi Arabia, they would be left with only one point in the Group H standings. Against this, they would find it quite difficult to secure their place in the Round of 32, as they would need a victory against Spain. However, they would rule out any chance to have the first place in the group, battling to get a second place or even a best third-placed team.
How to watch Uruguay vs Cape Verde in USA: 2026 World Cup, Live Stream, TV & Preview
Uruguay and Cape Verde will face each other in Matchday 2 of the FIFA World Cup group stage. Check out all the details on how to watch this highly anticipated clash live in the United States. Here are all of the details of where you can watch Uruguay vs Cape Verde on US television and via legal streaming: WHO Uruguay vs Cape Verde WHAT 2026 World Cup WHEN 6:00pm ET / 3:00pm PT • Sunday, June 21, 2026 WHERE Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling, Peacock Premium, FS1, Telemundo and Hulu + Live TV STREAM WATCH NOW Match Overview Two-time champions Uruguay are under immense pressure to secure a victory against tournament debutants Cape Verde in a pivotal Group H showdown. Marcelo Bielsa’s side is reeling from a frustrating 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia, a match they dominated statistically but failed to win. The urgency is palpable, as anything less than three points could jeopardize their chances of advancing to the knockout stages. Meanwhile, Cape Verde enters this match with sky-high confidence after pulling off one of the biggest shocks of the opening round. The Blue Sharks held European powerhouse Spain to a historic 0-0 draw, showcasing an ironclad defensive strategy. With a precious point already secured, they have a golden opportunity to continue their fairytale run and take a massive step toward the Round of 32. Tactical Analysis & Match Context The two nations arrive at this fixture from opposite ends of the expectation spectrum. Uruguay, a traditional powerhouse, has stumbled out of the gate and is winless in their last five matches, a concerning trend for a team with high aspirations. In stark contrast, Cape Verde, the third-smallest nation to ever qualify for the tournament, is riding a wave of momentum after proving they can compete with the world’s elite. This match presents a classic clash of styles. Expect Uruguay to deploy Marcelo Bielsa’s signature high-intensity press, seeking rapid ball recovery and aggressive vertical attacks to overwhelm their opponent. Cape Verde will almost certainly counter with the same disciplined, deep defensive block that frustrated Spain, aiming to absorb pressure, clog passing lanes, and spring forward on the counter-attack through their efficient striker, Dailon Livramento. The motivations for both squads are crystal clear. For Uruguay, this is a must-win game to get their campaign back on track and avoid a disastrous group-stage exit. For Cape Verde, this is the most important match in their footballing history. A victory would validate their defensive masterclass against Spain and put them in a remarkable position to advance to the next round. Head-to-Head Record & Historic Trends This will be the first-ever official meeting between Uruguay and Cape Verde, making this tournament encounter a historic occasion for both nations. With no prior friendlies or competitive matches, there is no direct history to draw upon, adding an element of unpredictability to the clash. While they have never faced Cape Verde, Uruguay has a strong record against African opposition in the global tournament. La Celeste are undefeated in five previous matches against CAF teams, securing three wins and two draws. Their most recent encounter was a 2-0 victory over Ghana in the 2022 competition, demonstrating their ability to handle the challenges posed by African sides. Key statistical trends from the opening matches highlight the game’s central dynamic: attack versus defense. Uruguay unleashed 27 shots against Saudi Arabia, with 22 of those coming in a dominant second half. Conversely, Cape Verde demonstrated incredible defensive resilience, conceding 27 shots to Spain without allowing a goal and committing only a single foul throughout the entire match. This sets the stage for a battle between Uruguay‘s offensive firepower and Cape Verde‘s organized backline. Squad News & Projected Lineups Uruguay enters this crucial match hampered by significant injuries to key defensive players, while Cape Verde is expected to field
