Forlán Assumes as Interim Coach
Diego Forlán, 47, will debut as interim coach of Uruguay in September, leading friendlies against Japan on September 24 in Rifu and South Korea on September 28 in Seoul. The AUF announced the mini-tour as part of the team's rebuilding after the 2026 World Cup exit. The former striker, a 2010 World Cup champion, will also guide the U-20 team in the South American Championship in January, a qualifier for the 2027 World Cup.
Possible Return of Luis Suárez
Expectation centers on whether Forlán will include Luis Suárez, 39, in the squad. The striker, Uruguay's all-time top scorer (69 goals), left the door open for his return after the 2026 World Cup, where Uruguay was eliminated in the first phase. Forlán highlighted Suárez's experience: "Having a player like Luis, with his experience, has goals, he keeps proving it every weekend he plays. Why not?".
Context of the World Cup Failure
The Uruguay team, under Marcelo Bielsa, drew with Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde before losing to Spain, the tournament champions. The defeat marked the end of an era and prompted the search for a new identity under Forlán, who aims to rewrite the history of the Celeste on the pitch.
