Mathías Olivera

Mathías Olivera is expected to be in Uruguay's 26 for the 2026 World Cup, an attacking left-back for Marcelo Bielsa with the final squad due by 2 June 2026. The Napoli defender is 28 at kick-off and brings 35 senior Uruguay caps and two international goals into the squad. A two-time Serie A winner with Napoli who can also play centre-back, he would be heading into 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 Olivera is expected to be among the defenders when the 26 is named.

Olivera is a left-back whose game is built on overlapping runs down Uruguay's left, with pace, energy and crossing from wide areas. He pushes high to support the attack and uses his recovery speed to track back when his side has to defend, and he can shift inside to centre-back when Bielsa reshapes the back line.

Bielsa's Uruguay defend man-to-man and break quickly once they win the ball, and a full-back who can carry it forward and deliver from the left fits that direct approach.

Uruguay are one of the Tier 2 team picks on the Goal Rush card at £24m, inside the game's £200m card budget. The Group H fixtures against Spain, Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia frame the early matchdays for a second-band selection.

Olivera adds width from the back to that profile: an attacking left-back who overlaps, crosses and carries forward from the left. His 35 caps, two Uruguay goals and centre-back cover make him a flexible defensive option around Bielsa's direct approach.