The Uruguay national football team has a friendly tour in India and a setback at youth level as its main talking points this week. La Celeste will face India on October 6 in Kolkata, a match that is part of a busy FIFA window.
The All India Football Federation confirmed Uruguay will be one of three world-class teams visiting the country in October. The match against India is scheduled for October 6 at Kolkata's Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, as per the official statement cited by The Hindu Sport. This friendly will be played three days after India hosts Brazil at the same iconic venue.
The FIFA international window runs from September 21 to October 6, allowing for a maximum of four matches. Uruguay's arrival in Kolkata, the Indian federation said, "adds another major fixture to an unprecedented run of international football for Indian fans." For La Celeste, this trip represents a chance for manager Diego Forlán to work with his squad outside the pressure of qualifying matches.
The Uruguay U20 team lost 3-2 to their Paraguayan counterparts in a preparation match held at the Celeste complex in Montevideo. The goals for Paraguay were scored by José Daniel Buhring in the 15th minute and Eduardo Andrés Delmás, who netted a double in the 63rd and 69th minutes.
The match was technically directed by Antolín Alcaraz for the Paraguayan side. This result reversed the win Uruguay had secured the previous Tuesday, a 2-0 victory that marked Diego Forlán's debut as the Uruguayan youth team coach. The Paraguayan lineup featured several players from domestic clubs.
The team led by Diego Forlán is in a period of rebuilding after its group stage exit from the 2026 World Cup. In that tournament, La Celeste recorded two draws (1-1 with Saudi Arabia and 2-2 with Cape Verde) and a loss to eventual champions Spain (0-1). This record left them with 2 points and a goal difference of 3 scored and 4 conceded.
Their recent form over the last five matches shows zero wins, four draws, and one loss. The last result was that defeat to Spain on June 27. The coaching staff must now focus on preparing for the friendly in India and the key match against Japan, using these games to test alternatives and solidify a style of play that can improve their future standings.
The visit to India offers Uruguay valuable travel experience and the chance to compete under different conditions. Beyond the result, these matches are vital for Forlán to assess his squad in a competitive yet low-pressure environment. The manager, who played for Mumbai City FC in 2016, is familiar with football in the region.
With an eye on rebuilding the group's confidence, these international commitments serve as building blocks. Integrating young players and finding a more effective system are clear objectives. Fans can follow the evolution of the squad in our dedicated team section, which details all call-ups and movements.
