Darwin Nunez, of Liverpool, is expected to play for Uruguay in the latest World Cup qualifiers after his international ban was temporarily lifted.
What happened?
CONMEBOL issued a five-match ban to the Liverpool player in August for his involvement in a confrontation with Colombia fans during Uruguay’s Copa America 2024 semi-final defeat. However, according to The Times, the Court of Arbitration for Sport has temporarily lifted the punishment, allowing Nunez to play for his national team in the next 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The striker was chosen to Marcelo Bielsa’s 29-man Uruguay squad on Monday.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Nunez has recently impressed for his national team, but he has failed to maintain consistency in club football. Liverpool will now hope that the striker will get some much-needed playing time in World Cup qualifiers, allowing him to regain his form. The Merseyside club had planned a behind-closed-doors friendly match just for the Uruguayan during the international break, but head coach Arne Slot may abandon those arrangements following CAS’s decision.
Did you know?
Along with the Liverpool forward, Bielsa has named Manchester United’s Manuel Ugarte and former Red Devils player Facundo Pellistri to the team, as well as Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde.
FBL-COPA AMERICA-2024—URU-BRAAFP
WHAT IS NEXT FOR DARWIN NUNEZ?
The 25-year-old former Benfica star will next be seen in action on Saturday when Bielsa’s side face Peru. Uruguay will immediately focus on their second World Cup qualifying match against Ecuador on October 16.
