Uruguay has appointed legendary former striker Diego Forlan as interim head coach of the national team following Marcelo Bielsa’s resignation after La Celeste’s disappointing group-stage exit at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Uruguayan Football Association announced the appointment on Sunday, ushering in a new era for the national team after a campaign that fell well short of expectations.
Forlan, 47, takes charge at a difficult moment as Uruguay looks to recover from one of its poorest World Cup performances in recent history.
Uruguay finished third in its group with just two points, ending behind Spain, Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia to crash out before the knockout stages. The disappointing campaign brought Bielsa’s tenure to an end, with the Argentine stepping down shortly after the tournament concluded.
The Uruguayan Football Association said Forlán’s initial contract will run until March 2027. His performance will then be reviewed before a decision is made on whether to extend his stay or appoint a permanent head coach for the next World Cup cycle.
