{"id":1659,"date":"2022-11-24T10:30:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-24T10:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/?p=1659"},"modified":"2022-11-24T10:56:02","modified_gmt":"2022-11-24T10:56:02","slug":"2022-11-24-world-cup-group-h-pre-uru-sko","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/2022-11-24-world-cup-group-h-pre-uru-sko","title":{"rendered":"Group H: Uruguay the Dark Horse at World Cup 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Winners of the inaugural FIFA World Cup in 1930, Uruguay are once again a force to be reckoned with almost a century later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Uruguayans have every reason to believe they can stamp their mark on the 22nd edition of the most lucrative sporting competition on the planet. La Celeste<\/em> pose a serious threat as a potential dark horse and, despite some weaknesses in the team, most teams would generally want to avoid facing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite having the second-smallest population of all 32 nations at this World Cup, Uruguay almost always have high expectations when the quadrennial tournament comes around. Qatar 2022 will be their 14th appearance at the World Cup finals and they have reached the final-four (or beyond) on five occasions.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Uruguay, winners of the first FIFA World Cup in 1930.
(Photo: Getty Images)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The South Americans have progressed to the knockouts at each of the last three editions of the World Cup, reaching the semi-finals in South Africa, the last-16 in Brazil 2014, and the quarter-finals last time out in Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A handful of players represented La Celeste<\/em> at all three events and this is certain to be a fourth and final showing at the World Cup finals for this particular group of Uruguayan veterans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Long-serving national team captain Diego God\u00edn, 36, as well as the outfield trio of Luis Su\u00e1rez, Edinson Cavani, and Martin C\u00e1ceres, all 35, are braced for a last hurrah on the grandest stage, and potentially on the international scene awhole. First-choice goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, 36, is also included in a World Cup squad for a fourth time, and all five of these players have earned 100+ caps for Uruguay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ahead of the tournament, skipper God\u00edn has played 159 times for his country \u2013 more than any other Uruguayan player in history. Su\u00e1rez has scored 68 goals in 134 outings for La Celeste<\/em>, while Cavani has 58 goals in 133 appearances. With a combined age of 70 years, the pair of seasoned centre-forwards are aiming to make a statement of intent in what could be their final joint act for their beloved home nation.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Suarez and Cavani have scored a combined 126 goals for Uruguay.
(Photo: Getty Images)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Central defenders Jos\u00e9 Gim\u00e9nez and Sebasti\u00e1n Coates are both at the World Cup finals for a third time, though it is unlikely the latter will be involved at the 2026 showpiece.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Giorgian de Arrascaeta has been touted as one of the best players outside of Europe. The attacking midfielder went to the 2018 World Cup and he has amassed 40 international caps with Uruguay. De Arrascaeta plays in the Brazilian Serie A since 2015, currently with Flamengo, and the 28-year-old has celebrated eight titles during his four years in Rio de Janeiro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moreover, there are several exciting talents braced for World Cup debuts, namely midfielder Federico Valverde and attacker Darwin N\u00fa\u00f1ez. Ronald Ara\u00fajo has been nursing a thigh injury since early October and it is unclear whether the Barcelona defender will be in contention for his country. Winger Facundo Pellistri, 20, is also in line for a first taste of World Cup action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite an uncertain backline, Uruguay aren’t short for options in midfield and attack. Up-and-coming striker N\u00fa\u00f1ez could hardly ask for better mentors than the pair of Cavani and Su\u00e1rez, who prepare to pass the torch onto a N\u00fa\u00f1ez-led next-gen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A post shared by Darwin Nu\u00f1ez Ribeiro (@darwin_n9)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>