Uruguay’s national soccer team has made significant roster changes ahead of the upcoming World Cup. Notably, Puma Rodríguez has been excluded from the final squad of 26 players. This decision means that Vasco will only have Andrés Gómez representing them in the prestigious tournament.
Puma Rodríguez Excluded from Uruguay’s World Cup Squad
The announcement regarding the final roster was made by coach Marcelo Bielsa on Monday. Rodríguez had been a regular call-up during the qualification process, although often in a substitute role. He joined Vasco after participating in the 2022 World Cup held in Qatar.
Impact on the Player
- Rodríguez’s exclusion has deeply affected him, according to those close to the player.
- He was a consistent figure throughout the team’s journey to the World Cup.
Colombian Representation by Vasco
Meanwhile, Vasco’s representation in the Colombian squad remains strong, with Andrés Gómez making the cut. Earlier, Colombia had listed three players from Vasco, including Carlos Cuesta and Rojas. However, Rojas had minimal chances throughout the selection process, which diminished his prospects of being selected.
- Gómez has experienced considerable competition from notable attackers such as Luis Díaz and Luis Suárez.
- His performance improved significantly toward the end of 2025, making him a key player for Vasco.
Notable Achievements
Andrés Gómez’s inclusion marks an important milestone as he becomes the first player from Vasco to participate in a World Cup in eight years. Carlos Cuesta, although a regular in prior years, faced challenges due to inconsistent performances leading up to the tournament.
Brazilian Squad Updates
On the Brazilian side, Paulo Henrique was called up by coach Carlo Ancelotti for friendly matches against South Korea and Japan last November. He made a notable impact by scoring in his debut. Despite a decline in performance in 2026, he was still included in Brazil’s preselection of 55 players.
Competition within the Squad
For Brazil’s final roster, Ancelotti opted for Wesley and Ibañez as the right-backs, highlighting the intense competition for positions ahead of the World Cup.
