The Uruguay national team faces a severe blow following the friendly match against England, where Joaquín Piquerez suffered a serious injury. The left-back, who plays for Palmeiras, is virtually out of the 2026 World Cup due to a ligament tear in his right ankle. According to a statement from the Brazilian club, the injury occurred 10 minutes into the match at Wembley when Piquerez fell awkwardly after a play with Noni Madueke. He had to leave the field on a stretcher. “Additional tests confirmed the ligament tear,” the medical report states.
The player will undergo surgery in the coming hours and will begin his recovery process under the supervision of the National Health and Performance Center (CNSR), as well as the medical team of the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF). The match ended in a 1-1 draw, with a penalty converted by Federico Valverde in the final minutes. Uruguay is preparing for its next match against Algeria on Tuesday, March 31, where they will seek to maintain their aspirations for the World Cup.
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