World Cup Qualifying - South America

Jun 11, 2025 at 12am UK

Estadio Centenario

Uruguay vs Venezuela

Match preview

Uruguay, who are out of form, enter their 16th qualifying match looking over their shoulders in the race to participate in next year's tournament.

Bielsa's team started the qualifying process well, securing four wins from their first six matches, losing one and drawing another. This put them in a promising position in the early stages of the competition.

However, Los Charrúas' form has plummeted since then, with just one more win — a 3-2 victory over Colombia in November 2024 — to their name.

A significant issue for Bielsa's team has been their inability to score in the eight games they have failed to win, not finding the net in the four matches prior to beating Colombia — Uruguay played out goalless draws with Paraguay, Venezuela and Ecuador, and lost to Peru.

La Celeste have only found the net once in the subsequent four matches — in a 1-1 draw in Brazil — and failed to score in defeats to Argentina (1-0) and Paraguay (2-0), with a goalless match in Bolivia sandwiched in between.

Although they are currently in fifth place, just one of the six direct qualifying spots, their opponents in seventh place on Tuesday will be aiming for a positive result to keep the two-time world champions on edge.

Fernando Batista’s team are just three points behind Bielsa’s side ahead of matchday 16, having closed the gap over the last two rounds. The Red Wine have achieved back-to-back victories, while the Sky Blue have earned just one point in that period.

Having begun qualifying with two wins and one loss in their opening four matches, La Vinotinto appeared to be in a promising position as early outsiders for a ticket to their maiden World Cup in 2026.

However, a prolonged slump in form, during which they failed to win any of their last nine matches, seemingly derailed that possibility.

Nevertheless, consecutive victories over Peru and Bolivia have lifted Batista’s team to seventh place and the inter-confederation play-off spot. However, they could achieve an even higher placement, as Uruguay and Colombia are only three points ahead, while faltering Brazil sit just four points above them.

Venezuela’s last two wins have come without conceding, a statistic not lost on the visitors as they prepare to face their goal-shy hosts.

Recent Performance

Uruguay World Cup Qualifying - South America form:WDLDL

Venezuela World Cup Qualifying - South America form:DLLWW

Team News

Joaquín Piquerez replaced Mathías Olivera at half-time against Paraguay, and he could start ahead of the Napoli left-back.

With the suspended Darwin Núñez, who tops La Celeste’s scoring charts with four goals, unavailable, Bielsa’s team must devise strategies to avoid a fourth consecutive qualifier without a goal.

Salomón Rondón has scored five of Venezuela's 15 qualifying goals, accounting for 33.3% of the away side's efforts, and the experienced forward hopes to play a pivotal role for La Vinotinto.

José Andrés Martínez and Telasco Segovia are expected to maintain their positions in the starting lineup for this important trip to face the two-time world champions, having delivered impressive performances out of possession for Batista’s team in diverse midfield roles.

Possible starting lineup

Uruguay possible starting lineup:

Mele; Varela, R. Araujo, Gimenez, Piquerez; Bentancur, Ugarte, De Arrascaeta; Pellistri, Aguirre, M. Araujo

Venezuela possible starting lineup:

Romo; Aramburu, Ferraresi, Angel, Navarro; Bello, J.A. Martinez; Savarino, Segovia, J. Martinez; Rondon