Although he was not born when Uruguay lifted their previous World Cup trophies, Wolves defender Santi Bueno says his country is full of belief that their national team can go all the way this summer.
Bueno is heading off to his first World Cup having narrowly missed out on making the final squad four years ago, and he is determined to do everything he can to live the dream he had when he was a child of representing his country at the competition.
Uruguay kick off their tricky Group H campaign on Monday evening (11pm) against Saudi Arabia in Miami, before games against pre-tournament favourites Spain and Cape Verde, but hopes will be high of at least getting into the knockout stages.
Uruguay’s World Cup 2026 fixtures:
- Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay | 15th June 2026 | Miami
- Uruguay vs Cape Verde | 21st June 2026 | Miami
- Uruguay vs Spain | 27th June 2026 | Guadalajara
Having worn the captain’s armband for Marcelo Bielsa’s side less than 12 months ago, Bueno wants to continue achieving his dreams with his country, and knows how much lifting the trophy in July will mean to the people of Uruguay.
On going to his first World Cup
“Well, the truth is that it is a dream for me to be able to go to the World Cup, with obviously everything that comes with representing my country, and even more for us, the way we carry Uruguay.
“I’m very, very excited and really eager to be part of the squad because it is a dream for all children. It has been a dream of mine as well, so I’m really looking forward to being able to fulfil that dream.”
On wanting to play his part
“The truth is that, on a personal level, this World Cup has come at a good moment for me because of my age and my experience.
“Also, these last few years here at Wolves in the Premier League have helped me a lot to grow and develop as a player and as a person.
“Because of that, I think I arrive at a very good moment to be able to play in my first World Cup.”
On pressure of representing Uruguay
“It depends. It’s true that there is some pressure when you play for your national team, because your family, your friends, we are all Uruguayans and obviously it is a different feeling.
“But I’m just very happy to be able to represent them and the truth is that, as I said before, it is a dream, but the professionalism and the preparation, it is the same at club level as it is with the national team, so nothing will change for me, and I will prepare in exactly the same way.”
On captaining his country
“It was a dream to have been able to wear it in that friendly and in that match [against Uzbekistan]. Great players throughout the whole history of Uruguay have worn it.
“I’m proud that it was also of recognition towards me and I’m very grateful for that moment which I’m going to remember forever.”
On going far this summer
“I think we have a great national team with very good players individually at the biggest clubs in the world. So that gives a lot of hope to the people so that they can believe.
“I think we are capable of competing with all the national teams, but we know that the World Cup is a bit step by step, you need to first get through the group stage, then you can see a little what the path towards the final looks like, and hopefully it will be as favourable as possible for us and we can reach the end. It would be something very, very incredible.
“We saw recently with Argentina the impact it generated in the country, and it would give us great joy if the same thing happened in Uruguay because it is also for the people, for the nation, and I think it would make them very happy and it would be a joy for all of Uruguay.”
