Portugal vs. Uruguay World Cup lineups, starting 11 for Group H match at Qatar 2022

Ben Miller

Portugal vs. Uruguay World Cup lineups, starting 11 for Group H match at Qatar 2022 image

Uruguay and Portugal will each have a key absentee at the back when they meet in Group H at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Ronald Araujo's place in the Uruguay squad was in doubt through injury and the saga around his fitness appears to be escalating, although his teammates still managed to keep a clean sheet against South Korea.

Danilo Pereira and his fellow Portugal defenders had a more nervy opener as their side overcame Ghana 3-2 — but he will not be involved against Uruguay.

Below are the confirmed lineups for both teams.

MORE: How to watch Portugal vs. Uruguay

Portugal vs. Uruguay lineups

Defender or defensive midfielder Pereira suffered three broken ribs in a training injury that mystified Portugal coach Fernando Santos.

"It was a move that nobody noticed when we were working on defensive set-pieces," Santos said on Sunday. "Initially it didn't look like anything worrisome, despite him having breathing difficulties.

"I'm not a doctor — we have to wait. It's a blow. It would be better if we can still count on him but we have three central defenders.

"We can't sit here and cry. I'm sad, most of all, for him. I said that to the players this morning that his strength will help us to give more of ourselves."

Teammate Bernardo Silva pledged that Portugal would beat Uruguay, who knocked them out at the Round of 16 stage in 2018, for Pereira.

Uruguay are embroiled in their own defensive injury drama after Gaston Tealdi, the vice-president of the Uruguayan Football Association, issued an update on Araujo amid reports that Barcelona suspect the national team are rushing the centre-back's return following thigh surgery.

"Araujo is in the orbit of the Uruguayan national team," said Tealdi, with reports also suggesting that Barca coach Xavi is heading to Qatar to discuss his concerns in person with team bosses.

"The last word is with the national team but our intention is that any decision is made by mutual agreement. The last word belongs to the player.

"The intention is to work slowly, gradually, giving security to Araujo and also to Barcelona. As soon as Araujo is fit to compete, the corresponding decisions will be made."

MORE: World Cup 2022 Group H: Match schedule, fixtures, times and dates for Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, South Korea in Qatar

Portugal starting 11

(4-1-2-1-2, right to left): 22-Costa (GK) — 20-Cancelo, 3-Pepe, 4-Dias, 19-Mendes — 18-Neves — 8-Fernandes, 14-Carvalho — 10-Bernardo Silva — 7-Ronaldo, 11-Joao Felix

Pepe replaces Pereira in the Portugal defence. "Pepe is a monster," said Santos. "If there's anyone with such an important role in the locker room, it's him... Pepe will play, there will be no problems."

Nuno Mendes recovered from a knock in time to start in place of Raphael Guerreiro, while William Carvalho comes in for Otavio.

Uruguay starting 11

(3-5-2, right to left): 23-Rochet (GK) — 2-Gimenez, 3-Godin, 19-Coates —13-Varela, 16-Olivera, 6-Bentancur, 15-Valverde, 5-Vecino, — 11-Nunez, 21-Cavani.

Uruguay switch to a 3-5-2 system, with Guillermo Varela and Matias Vecino at wing-back. There's a big call up front, with Edinson Cavani partnering Darwin Nunez, meaning Luis Suarez is on the bench.

Barca reportedly have an informal agreement with Uruguay that Araujo will not play in the group stage and the defender is not in the lineup here.

The 23-year-old underwent treatment in Finland on September 28.

MORE: Osman Bukari mimics Cristiano Ronaldo 'Siuuu' celebration in Portugal vs Ghana as CR7 watches on

Portugal vs. Uruguay World Cup squads

Here are the names on Portugal and Uruguay's World Cup squads in Qatar (caps correct as of start of Qatar 2022):

Portugal

Position Player Club Age Caps
Goalkeeper Rui Patricio Roma (ITA) 34 104
Goalkeeper Jose Sa Wolves (ENG) 29 0
Goalkeeper Diogo Costa Porto (POR) 23 7
Defender Pepe Porto (POR) 39 128
Defender Raphael Guerreiro Borussia Dortmund (GER) 28 56
Defender Diogo Dalot Manchester United (ENG) 23 6
Defender Antonio Silva Benfica (POR) 19 0
Defender Ruben Dias Manchester City (ENG) 25 39
Defender Nuno Mendes PSG (FRA) 20 16
Defender Danilo Pereira PSG (FRA) 31 63
Defender Joao Cancelo Manchester City (ENG) 28 37
Midfielder Otavio Porto (POR) 27 7
Midfielder Joao Palhinha Fulham (ENG) 27 15
Midfielder Bruno Fernandes Manchester United (ENG) 28 48
Midfielder Bernardo Silva Manchester City (ENG) 28 72
Midfielder Matheus Nunes Wolves (ENG) 24 9
Midfielder William Carvalho Real Betis (ESP) 30 75
Midfielder Vitinha PSG (FRA) 22 4
Midfielder Joao Mario Benfica (POR) 29 52
Midfielder Ruben Neves Wolves (ENG) 25 32
Forward Cristiano Ronaldo Manchester United (ENG) 37 191
Forward Ricardo Horta Braga (POR) 28 5
Forward Rafael Leao AC Milan (ITA) 23 11
Forward Joao Felix Atletico Madrid (SPA) 22 23
Forward Goncalo Ramos Benfica (POR) 21 0
Forward Andre Silva RB Leipzig (GER) 26 51

Uruguay

Position Player Club Age Caps
Goalkeeper Fernando Muslera Galatasaray (TUR) 36 133
Goalkeeper Sergio Rochet Nacional (URU) 29 8
Goalkeeper Sebastian Sosa Independiente (ARG) 36 1
Defender Ronald Araujo Barcelona (ESP) 23 12
Defender Martin Caceres LA Galaxy (USA) 35 115
Defender Sebastian Coates Sporting CP (POR) 32 47
Defender Jose Maria Gimenez Atletico Madrid (ESP) 27 78
Defender Diego Godin Velez Sarsfield (ARG) 36 159
Defender Mathias Olivera Napoli (ITA) 24 8
Defender Jose Luis Rodriguez Nacional (URU) 25 9
Defender Guillermo Varela Flamengo (BRA) 29 9
Defender Matias Vina AS Roma (ITA) 24 26
Midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur Tottenham (ENG) 25 51
Midfielder Nicolas De La Cruz River Plate (ARG) 25 17
Midfielder Facundo Pellistri Manchester United (ENG) 20 7
Midfielder Lucas Torreira Galatasaray (TUR) 26 40
Midfielder Manuel Ugarte Sporting (POR) 21 6
Midfielder Federico Valverde Real Madrid (ESP) 24 44
Midfielder Matias Vecino Lazio (ITA) 31 62
Forward Agustin Canobbio Athletico Paranaense (BRA) 24 3
Forward Edinson Cavani Valencia (ESP) 35 133
Forward Giorgian De Arrascaeta Flamengo (BRA) 28 40
Forward Maxi Gomez Trabzonspor (TUR) 26 27
Forward Darwin Nunez Liverpool (ENG) 23 13
Forward Luis Suarez Nacional (URU) 35 134
Forward Facundo Torres Orlando City (USA) 22 10

Ben Miller

Ben Miller Photo

Ben Miller has been writing about sport for 25 years, following all levels of football as well as boxing, MMA, athletics and tennis. He’s seen five promotions, three relegations, one World Cup winner and home games in at least three different stadiums as a result of his lifelong devotion to Brighton & Hove Albion. His main aim each week is to cover at least one game or event that does not require a last-minute rewrite.