Uruguay tipped as World Cup dark horse, fans unite behind anthem

Uruguay seen as the World Cup dark horse

Spanish outlet Marca has identified Uruguay as the team most likely to surprise at the 2026 World Cup. The article frames Marcelo Bielsa's side as the \"tapada\" – the hidden contender – in a tournament where the usual giants dominate the conversation (1). With a blend of experienced campaigners and fresh talent, plus Bielsa's demanding tactical system, the case being made is that your team could go deeper than most expect.

The obvious caveat is Ronald Araujo. The Barcelona centre-back is racing to recover from a muscular injury picked up during preparations, and his availability for the opening match against Saudi Arabia remains uncertain. Medical staff are hopeful he will feature at some point in the group stage, but losing your most reliable defender for even one game in a short tournament carries real weight.

Bielsa's system demands total physical commitment. Araujo was built for it. Without him, the defensive line loses its anchor.

Fans pick NTVG song as unofficial World Cup anthem

Uruguayan supporters have rallied around a track from No Te Va Gustar as the soundtrack for this World Cup run (2). The song has gained traction organically among fans and is being shared widely as the go-to anthem ahead of the Saudi Arabia opener. It is the kind of grassroots, cultural moment that tends to follow this national team into major tournaments – part of the fabric, not a marketing campaign.