Facundo Pellistri

Facundo Pellistri is expected to be in Uruguay's 26 for the 2026 World Cup, a direct right winger for Marcelo Bielsa with the final squad due by 2 June 2026. The Panathinaikos winger is 24 at kick-off and brings 39 senior Uruguay caps and two international goals into the squad. He works mainly off the right flank, taking defenders on one-versus-one, and this would be his second World Cup after Qatar 2022.

Uruguay face Spain, Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia in Group H, opening against Saudi Arabia at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on 15 June. Bielsa's side finished fourth in CONMEBOL qualifying to reach the tournament, securing their place on 4 September 2025, and Pellistri is expected to be among the attacking options when the 26 is named.

Pellistri is a direct right-footed winger whose game starts on Uruguay's right flank. He looks to take defenders on one-versus-one, move the ball quickly and get to the byline, using wide delivery rather than a heavy scoring profile. With two international goals in 39 caps, his value is in carrying the ball and supplying from wide areas.

In Bielsa's man-to-man, fast-transition Uruguay, a winger who stretches the pitch and moves attacks forward fits the direct approach.

Uruguay are a Tier 2 pick on the Goal Rush card at £24m within the game's £200m card budget, a second-band team on the card. Group H sends them up against Spain, Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia in the early matchdays.

Pellistri adds a wide-carrier profile to that £24m pick: a right-footed winger on the right flank, 39 caps, and a direct one-versus-one role. With two international goals, his contribution is carrying attacks forward and supplying the box, not a pure finishing profile.