Uruguayan national team Bielsa and the friendlies in Malaysia
The Uruguayan national team , led by Marcelo Bielsa, is already fine-tuning its preparations for the 2026 World Cup and will face the first of three FIFA windows leading up to the tournament in October. At that time, Uruguay will play two friendlies in Asia against Uzbekistan and the Dominican Republic, with the exception that only one player from the local midfield is among the reserves.
Uruguayan national team Bielsa: Kevin Amaro, the only local player called up
The matches are scheduled for Friday, October 10th and Monday, October 13th in Malaysia. In addition to giving the squad a run, the AUF estimates it will raise around three million dollars, a key source of income in the run-up to the World Cup. Bielsa will use these matches to observe several players he has been closely following since joining the national team.
Kevin Amaro, Bielsa's local bet
Of all the players competing in the Uruguayan championship, only Liverpool's versatile player, Kevin Amaro, was left out. The manager recently saw him in action at Belvedere, in the match against Peñarol. Amaro made his debut for the Celeste in the final qualifying match against Chile, reflecting the confidence Bielsa has placed in him in a highly competitive environment.
Call-ups from abroad and their impact on the big clubs
The rest of the reserves are playing abroad. Nacional and Peñarol , however, could lose key players on Matchday 11 of the local tournament. For the Tricolor team, Luis Mejía was left out by Panama and Haylen Palacios was left out by Colombia. For the Aurinegros, the Chilean national team has called up goalkeeper Brayan Cortés. If the squads are confirmed, both major teams will lose these players in key Clausura matches.
Tight schedule and return of the selected players
The affected players will play in Matchday 10 of the championship on the weekend of October 4 and 5, but will not be available for the following matchday. They will not return to Montevideo until around October 15 or 16, which complicates the planning of Pablo Peirano and Diego Aguirre. They must immediately return to their clubs for Matchday 12, scheduled for the 18 and 19.
Uruguayan national team Bielsa: Kevin Amaro, the only local player called up
The FIFA World Cup matches of October, November, and March will be the final tests before the World Cup in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Bielsa will look to consolidate his style of play, evaluate tactical alternatives, and continue integrating young talent into the squad. The preparations aim to ensure Uruguay arrives with rhythm and variation at a World Cup that will mark the first major event of the Argentine coach's tenure .
Economic impact of international friendlies
In addition to the sporting aspect, the Asian tour represents a significant source of income for the AUF. The projected three million dollars in revenue will fund part of the preparations for the 2026 World Cup, as well as cover logistics and travel. Association leaders value these matches because, beyond the result, they generate visibility in new markets like Asia.
Bielsa's plan with the youth players
Marcelo Bielsa makes no secret of his interest in promoting young players. In recent months, he's closely followed several players from the local scene and emerging leagues. Kevin Amaro is the most visible example, but not the only one. The AUF (Spanish Football Association) claims that the coach already has a list of at least five youth players who could gradually join the national team's training sessions. The goal is to expand the roster with a demanding schedule in mind.
Uruguayan national team Bielsa and the absences at Nacional and Peñarol
The October call-ups are not going unnoticed by the big teams in Uruguayan football. Nacional could lose Luis Mejía and Haylen Palacios, while Peñarol's absence of Brayan Cortés would disrupt their goalkeeping plans. Both Pablo Peirano and Diego Aguirre are adjusting their squad plans considering their absence on Matchday 11 of the Clausura, which in such a close tournament could mean decisive points.
Return deadlines and local competition
The October FIFA matchday coincides with a busy stretch of the tournament. The players will travel immediately to Malaysia and return to Montevideo mid-month. This means they'll only have a couple of days to reintegrate with their clubs before Matchday 12. The strain of flights and matches could affect their immediate performance.
Uruguayan national team Bielsa heading to the 2026 World Cup
With October, November, and March as the final preparation windows, Bielsa will have limited time to fine-tune his playing style. The strategy is to consolidate a core squad, incorporate young players who adapt quickly, and define a system that will allow them to compete against high-level opponents in the World Cup. The AUF is confident that the Argentine coach's experience and the combination of established players with newcomers will give Uruguay a leading role in the World Cup .
