Luis Suarez may return for Uruguay vs Japan
Japan will face Uruguay on September 24 at Q&A Stadium Miyagi. Uruguay's new manager Diego Forlan hinted at a possible return for Luis Suarez, who retired from the national team in 2024. Forlan stated, "If he wants to come back, we welcome him." The 39-year-old striker could make a surprising comeback.
Background of Suarez's return and Forlan's intentions
Uruguay was eliminated in the group stage of this year's World Cup. Forlan declared that "all Uruguayan players are eligible for selection" and expressed openness to Suarez's return. Suarez, a former Liverpool and Barcelona star, is one of Uruguay's greatest strikers.
Japan and Uruguay's match history
Suarez has played against Japan three times, scoring 2 goals and providing 1 assist. In 2013, he scored with a combination play with Forlan. Japan is currently second in the World Cup standings with 5 points (1 win, 2 draws).
Uruguay's Asia tour and World Cup squad
Uruguay will play Japan and South Korea during their Asia tour in late September. According to local newspaper La Diaria, the contract requires at least 15-16 members of the 2026 World Cup squad to be included. The visiting Uruguay team is expected to be primarily composed of World Cup players.
