Uruguay hit by hammer blow over Ronald Araujo's injury recovery

Uruguay star Ronald Araujo.

Uruguay could be without key defender Ronald Araujo until the latter stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as confirmed by head coach Marcelo Bielsa.

Bielsa's plans for the tournament have been heavily impacted by injuries with Barcelona centre-back Araujo tearing a calf muscle just days after joining up with the squad at the start of June.

This setback continues Araujo's struggles to stay fit in the last 12 months after missing a chunk of Barcelona's 2025/26 season due to physical and mental health issues.

Atletico Madrid star Jose Maria Gimenez was fit enough to take his place on the bench for Uruguay's wild 2-2 draw with Cabo Verde, but Araujo remains on the treatment table.

Bielsa's charges have drawn both games so far in Group H - against Cabo Verde and Saudi Arabia - and they now face a huge test up against Spain on June 26 in Zapopan.

Following the tie with Cabo Verde, Bielsa offered a firm update on Araujo's recovery status, and admitted he does not know when he'll be ready to return to action.

"Neither (Giorgian) De Arrascaeta nor Araujo have a chance of playing against Spain. That's all I know right now."

Bielsa has only made one change to his backline in between those two matches - with Juan Sanabria rotating in for Matias Vina - but the veteran coach could risk Gimenez from the start against La Roja as he fights to secure a place in the knockout stages.