Legendary footballer Diego Forlán appointed head coach of Uruguay national team

The Uruguayan Football Federation has appointed Diego Forlán as the new head coach, replacing Marcelo Bielsa after Uruguay's group-stage exit at the 2026 World Cup.

Scraper SystemJuly 13, 2026, 11:40 AM

Legendary footballer Diego Forlán appointed head coach of Uruguay national team

The Uruguay national team is entering a new era following its disappointment at the 2026 World Cup. The Uruguayan Football Federation announced that legendary footballer Diego Forlán has taken charge of the team after the resignation of Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa.

Bielsa stepped down after Uruguay finished third in Group H, which included Spain, Cape Verde, and Saudi Arabia, with just two points, bowing out of the tournament early. This result went down as one of the country's worst-ever performances.

At 47, Diego Forlán, one of the most important figures in Uruguayan football, faces a major test in his coaching career. According to the federation, Forlán's contract runs until March 2027. After that, the federation will assess his performance and decide whether to extend his contract or appoint a new head coach for the next World Cup.

Forlán will also continue to coach the Uruguay U-20 national team. That side will compete in the 2027 South American Youth Championship, a key tournament for developing the next generation of players.

Diego Forlán is Uruguay's third-highest all-time top scorer with 36 goals. He was the top scorer at the 2010 World Cup with five goals, and also won the 2011 Copa América.