Uruguay vs Venezuela

Uruguay aim to reverse their recent struggles in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers as they face Venezuela, who are vying for a playoff spot, in Tuesday’s matchday 16 clash at Estadio Centenario.

Despite going four games without a win in CONMEBOL qualifying, Marcelo Bielsa’s squad still holds a top-six position with only three matches left. La Celeste are eager to avoid another setback and keep their challengers at bay.

Uruguay, currently in a slump, approach their 16th qualifier with growing concerns about securing a spot in next year’s tournament.

Bielsa’s team started strongly, winning four of their first six matches, with one draw and one loss, positioning them well early in the campaign.

However, their form has since deteriorated, with only one additional victory—a 3-2 win against Colombia in November 2024.

A major concern for Bielsa’s side has been their lack of scoring, failing to find the net in the eight matches they didn’t win. This includes four consecutive goalless games before the Colombia win—draws against Paraguay, Venezuela, and Ecuador, plus a loss to Peru.

In their last four matches, Uruguay scored just once, in a 1-1 draw with Brazil, while failing to score in losses to Argentina (1-0) and Paraguay (2-0), and a goalless draw in Bolivia.

Sitting in fifth, the second-to-last direct qualification spot, Uruguay face a determined seventh-placed Venezuela side looking to capitalize on their hosts’ struggles.

Fernando Batista’s Venezuela trail Uruguay by just three points, a gap that has narrowed after La Vinotinto’s consecutive wins and Uruguay’s mere one point from their last two matches.

Venezuela started qualifying with two victories in their first four games (and one loss), raising hopes of securing their first-ever World Cup berth in 2026.

A nine-game winless streak hampered their progress, but recent back-to-back wins over Peru and Bolivia have propelled them to seventh, the playoff spot. With Uruguay and Colombia only three points ahead, and Brazil four points above, Venezuela have their sights set on climbing higher.

Notably, Venezuela’s last two victories were clean sheets, a fact that bolsters their confidence as they prepare to take on a Uruguay side struggling to score.