Federico Valverde, a midfielder, and Darwin Núñez, a forward, joined the Uruguayan national team’s training sessions on Monday. The team is gearing up to play Ecuador and Peru in the South American 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

On social media, the Uruguayan Football Association stated that both players showed up to the Celeste Complex early in the morning.

Forwards Maximiliano Araujo and Facundo Torres, midfielders Manuel Ugarte and Nicolás Fonseca, and goalkeeper Franco Israel all did so.

Over the weekend, several players participated in the training sessions, including goalkeeper Sergio Rochet, center back Santiago Bueno, full-backs Guillermo Varela, José Luis Rodríguez, and Mathías Olivera, midfielders Giorgian de Arrascaeta and Nicolás de la Cruz, and strikers Cristian Olivera and Luciano Rodríguez.

Matías Abaldo, a striker, likewise did so after being called up for the first time to protect the senior squad.

Núñez was temporarily cleared by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after being punished for five matches by the Conmebol Disciplinary Commission for his interaction with Colombian fans during the last Copa América semifinals.

At the conclusion of the ninth leg of the South American qualifiers this Friday, the Celeste will make a visit to Peru in Lima. Ecuador will play Uruguay at the Centenario in Montevideo on October 15.

A number of players arrived, but the list of those called up for the two matches was not made public. It is anticipated that head coach Marcelo Bielsa will the final roster.

The team leaves for Peru on Thursday and will arrive back in Montevideo in the afternoon on October 12.

The two games are scheduled to take place in the midst of a controversy that was sparked by remarks made by Luis Suárez on the DSports show “De Fútbol Se Habla Así,” whereby he accused Bielsa of mistreating members of the team.

He emphasized that some players had asked the Argentine “to at least say good morning to them,” adding that it shouldn’t come as a surprise if more players decide to leave Uruguay and guaranteeing that there are employees connected to the national team, like the physiotherapists and kit men, who are unable to enjoy what they do for a living.

Upon reaching Montevideo on Monday, Valverde informed the media that the record scorer’s statements “are all true” and that communication is the best approach to problem-solving.