Uruguay face India in Kolkata as Forlán seeks momentum
Uruguay, ranked 20th globally, conclude their international break against India in Kolkata.
Uruguay face India in Kolkata on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, in their final fixture of the September-October international break. The match kicks off at 19:30 IST at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, with Uruguay ranked 20th in the world and rebuilding under new head coach Diego Forlán.
Uruguay's 2026 World Cup campaign ended at the group stage without a victory. Diego Forlán, a legendary striker in his playing days, took charge in August 2026. His tenure began with a 3-1 loss to Japan, followed by a 4-1 victory over South Korea. Darwin Núñez scored a brace in that win, ending a run of 17 consecutive international appearances without a goal.
Uruguay's recent form and squad
Forlán's squad features key figures like Darwin Núñez, Rodrigo Bentancur, Ronald Araújo, José María Giménez, and Lucas Torreira. The team is without several regulars. Federico Valverde is absent due to injury, replaced by Emiliano Martínez. Giorgian de Arrascaeta, Sebastián Cáceres, and Brian Rodríguez are also unavailable.
Rodrigo Bentancur, with around 80 caps, captained Uruguay in both matches this break. He is a versatile, technically gifted box-to-box midfielder who remains calm under pressure. Darwin Núñez leads Uruguay's press with relentless energy. He is a traditional number nine with impressive pace and aerial prowess, though his finishing remains an area of concern for Forlán. "The new head coach may look to experiment with his side while aiming to secure a comfortable victory over the Blue Tigers," said Diego Forlán.
India's preparation and challenges
India host Uruguay with barely 72 hours of recovery since a heavy defeat. They drew 1-1 with Panama in Bengaluru before losing 4-0 to Brazil in Kolkata on October 6. Head coach Khalid Jamil acknowledged the challenge ahead. "As I said, they are physically strong, so we have to match them. Tactically also, they are good," he stated.
Defender Akash Mishra admitted the mood after the Brazil loss was not good. He said he had barely slept afterwards, spending the night reviewing the match. His biggest takeaway was the need for constant concentration. Against teams of this level, concentration cannot flicker. One mistake will cost us very badly, Mishra said. Uruguay, in contrast, had spent six days in Kolkata adapting to conditions.
Key player focus: Ronald Araújo
Uruguayan defender Ronald Araújo brings a significant aerial threat. The center-back, who can also operate at right-back, joined Liverpool on loan from FC Barcelona this summer after struggling with injuries and form. He is dominant in aerial duels and poses a goal threat from set-pieces, though he can be prone to occasional lapses in concentration.
This is only the second recognised senior meeting between the nations. The first was at Eden Gardens in 1982 during the Nehru Cup, which Uruguay won 3-1. Forlán has previous experience in India, having spent six months with Mumbai City FC in 2016, scoring five goals in 12 appearances. Uruguay will look to build on this match as they continue their rebuilding phase under Diego Forlán ahead of future 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
