Uruguay World Cup Team Preview

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

4 minute read

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CONTENTS

• Uruguay Odds: To Win World Cup
• Uruguay: Road to the Final
• Uruguay Previous World Cup FInishes
• Uruguay World Cup FAQ

Uruguay Odds: To Win World Cup

Uruguay are outsiders to win the World Cup this winter but, as recent past performances have proved, you can never write off La Celeste. The latest Uruguay odds suggest this team has a 2.5% chance of winning the World Cup in Qatar. And while that might seem unrealistic, Uruguay are certainly a team to follow if you’re seeking upsets during this tournament.

Head coach Diego Alonso successfully steered Uruguay through South America’s World Cup qualifying campaign. They finished third in the table behind Brazil and Argentina to secure an automatic place in Qatar. The team was soundly beaten both home and away against Brazil and Argentina, but were easily the third-best side on the continent over the 18-game competition.

Now focus turns towards the Middle East and a tantalizing group stage for Uruguay. Luis Suarez remains their talisman up front, and scored eight goals during qualifying. Giorgian de Arrascaeta has developed exceptionally well over the past few seasons to now become a regular in the team, while Edinson Cavani, Matías Vecino, Diego Godin and Martin Caceres bring their natural leadership to this group.

But how far can Uruguay realistically go at the World Cup? The soccer betting odds aren’t expecting this team to reach the final – but it has the capacity to frustrate the favorites.

Odds Provided by bet365 - Subject to Change

Uruguay: Path to the Final

Pot Draw

Uruguay was placed in Pot 2 for the World Cup draw, alongside the likes of Mexico, Germany and the United States. They earned their place in Pot 2 thanks to their FIFA ranking, and their impressive qualification campaign. It meant Diego Alonso’s team would be drawn against one of the Pot 1 teams; potentially England or France.

Group Stage

Uruguay were drawn in World Cup Group H alongside Portugal, Ghana and South Korea. It was seen as a relatively easy group compared to who Uruguay could have faced. Portugal is considered on the decline, while Ghana and South Korea were not the best teams in their respective pots. Win this group and Uruguay could play Serbia or Switzerland in the last-16, and potentially Belgium, Spain or Germany in the quarters. That’s likely as far as they will progress, but with this team a semi-final berth cannot be ruled out.

Uruguay Previous World Cup Finishes

Uruguay famously won the first ever World Cup back in 1930, and then again two decades later in 1950. The team hasn’t won it since but has reached the semi-finals on three other occasions. Uruguay has also won the Copa America 15 times.

Here’s Uruguay’s history of World Cup performances:

• 1930 – Champions
• 1950 – Champions
• 1954 – Fourth place
• 1962 – Group stage
• 1966 – Quarter-finals
• 1970 – Fourth place
• 1974 – Group stage
• 1986 – Last-16
• 1990 – Last-16
• 2002 – Group stage
• 2010 – Fourth place
• 2014 – Last-16
• 2018 – Quarter-finals

Uruguay World Cup FAQ

Has Uruguay qualified for the World Cup in 2022?

Yes. Uruguay has qualified for the World Cup in Qatar, after coming third in South America’s qualification campaign. The team will play Portugal, South Korea and Ghana in Group H.

Why Is World Cup In November?

The World Cup is being held in November and December because it is too hot to play in Qatar’s summer months. FIFA chose to shake up world soccer’s calendar by moving the traditional summer tournament to the winter.

When did Uruguay win the World Cup?

Uruguay has twice won the World Cup, in 1930 and 1950. The team won the inaugural World Cup having hosted the event. Uruguay then beat hosts Brazil in the 1950 final, which shocked the Brazilian nation.

Will Luis Suarez win the Golden Boot?

Possibly. Luis Suarez has good odds in the soccer betting markets to win the Golden Boot at the World Cup. To date he boasts seven goals spanning three World Cups.

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