With the 2010 FIFA World Cup just a few weeks away, its time to breakdown the 32 teams that will be participating in The Great Tournament. Next up is the CONMEBOL nation of Uruguay.


Official Name: Asociación Uruguaya de Fútbol

Nickname: La Celeste

FIFA Confederation: CONMEBOL (South America)

FIFA Code: URU

How They Qualified: Def. Costa Rica 2-1 agg. in CONCACAF/CONMEBOL playoff.

World Cup Appearances (Including 2010): 11

Best WC Finish: Champions, Uruguay 1930 & Brazil 1950

World Cup Record (MP: Wins - Draws - Losses): 40: 15W - 10D - 15L

Head Coach: Oscar Washington Tabárez

Most Capped Player (# of caps): Rodolfo Rodríguez (79)

All-Time Goal Scoring Leader (# of goals): Héctor Scarone (31)

Brief Footballing History:
In 1930, Uruguay hosted and won the 1st World Cup. No nation has done more with less than Uruguay. In 1950, Uruguay captured its 2nd World Cup in Brazil winning the trophy in the famous Maracanazo match in front of 174,000 spectators in Rio's famous Maracana stadium. El Maracanazo is still a source of national shame for Brazilian football & a source of pride for Uruguay.

The smallest nation in South America with a population less than 4 million has as many Copa América titles and Olympic gold medals as Argentina and Uruguay has more Copa América titles and Olympic gold medals than Brazil. Both Brazil and Argentina have populations at least 10 times larger than Uruguay. Despite its small size and population, La Celeste continue to produce talented footballers playing in leagues all over the world.

Player To Watch:
Although the best known Uruguayan player right now is Atlético Madrid's Pichichi, Diego Forlán. The player to watch is younger and is also making a massive impression in Europe. His name is Luis Suárez.

The Ajax striker has been a nightmare to defenses in the Dutch Eredivisie. He has scored 26 goals in 25 league matches. He scored 5 goals in qualifying, 2nd behind Forlán. Suárez has the talent to be the breakout striker of the tournament and attract a big transfer to a bigger European club.

Outlook:
Uruguay will have to be on top form to advance out of a well balanced group. Italy 1990 was the last time Uruguay advanced out of the group stage when they barely made it out as the last of the 3rd place teams. They have a tough test with the French in their opening match but 3 points from that game and La Celeste could be on their way to winning the group.


Final 23-Man WC Roster:
Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera (Lazio), Juan-Guillermo Castillo (Cali), Martin Silva (Defensor Sporting)

Defenders: Diego Lugano (Fenerbahce), Diego Godin (Villarreal), Andres Scotti (Colo Colo), Jorge Fucile (Porto), Martin Caceres (Juventus), Mauricio Victorino (Universidad de Chile), Maximiliano Pereira (Benfica)

Midfielders: Walter Gargano (Napoli), Egidio Arevalo-Rios (Penarol), Sebastian Eguren (AIK Stockholm), Diego Perez (Monaco), Alvaro Pereira (Porto), Alvaro Fernandez (Universidad de Chile), Ignacio Gonzalez (Valencia), Nicolas Lodeiro (Ajax)

Forwards: Sebastian Fernandez (Banfield), Luis Suarez (Ajax), Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid), Sebastian Abreu (Botafogo), Edinson Cavani (Palermo).

WC Group Schedule:
June 11 vs. France
June 16 vs. South Africa
June 22 vs. México

The next team preview of Group A sides is France