Diego Forlán has named Uruguay's squad for the friendly against Argentina on Saturday 13 November at La Bombonera, a list that does not include Boca Juniors forward Miguel Merentiel. The omission of the xeneize striker is positive news for his club, as he will be available for their Copa Argentina semi-final against Banfield on November 14.

Forlán presented a 28-man squad for this first match of the November window, which also includes a game against the Dominican Republic in Montevideo on the 17th. "Forlán announced Uruguay's list for the upcoming FIFA date, in which they will face the Argentina national team at La Bombonera," the manager himself confirmed.

Forlán's Selection

Goalkeeper Santiago Mele, from Argentina's Independiente, is the only player based in that country to receive the call-up. The list marks the return of Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde, who missed the previous FIFA window through injury. The squad blends experience and youth, with established names like Ronald Araujo (Liverpool), José María Giménez (Deportivo La Coruña), Rodrigo Bentancur (Tottenham) and Darwin Núñez (Diriyah Club). Striker Darwin Núñez arrives in fine form after scoring a brace in the 1-4 win over South Korea on 28 September and another goal in the 1-6 rout of India on 6 October.

Among the newcomers are attacker Bruno Damiani from the Philadelphia Union in the United States, and defender Sebastián Jaume from Albion, the sole representative from Uruguay's domestic league. The coaching staff aims to continue the positive streak following recent results, which include a 1-6 rout of India and a 1-4 win over South Korea, after a 3-1 defeat to Japan. The team's recent form reads two wins and one defeat from the last three matches, and they enter the classic on a two-game winning run.

Context and Next Steps

Merentiel's absence, as Boca's top scorer this year, is a tactical relief for manager Rodolfo Arruabarrena. The forward will be a key piece in the cup semi-final and is also focused on the Copa Sudamericana final against Atlético Mineiro the week before. For the Uruguayan side, the focus is on the Río de la Plata classic. The last meeting between the two national teams, in March 2025, ended in a 1-0 victory for Argentina.

Uruguay faces the clash in Buenos Aires in high spirits after putting together two consecutive wins. Forlán's team will look to maintain that momentum in an emblematic setting before closing the FIFA date at home.

First reported at TyC Sports