Uruguay coach Diego Forlan urged his side not to be complacent against India, insisting the host deserves respect despite the gulf in standard between the two sides.

“We know it’s going to be really difficult, but we always respect everybody,” Forlan said on Monday, the eve of the international friendly.

Uruguay comes into the game after a 1-3 defeat to Japan and a 4-1 win over South Korea, with Forlan stressing that his team has had more time to recover and prepare since the first loss. 

“We have more days to work, more days to rest a little bit,” he said.

The former Uruguay star, who played an ISL season with Mumbai City FC in 2016, was particularly impressed by what he saw from India against Brazil. “If you give them time and space, they can damage you and they can play well,” Forlan said.

The coach said Uruguay would carry its traditional competitive mentality into the contest. “We try to continue that legacy, something that we felt as a player,” he said.

Uruguay coach Diego Forlan has named a 46-man provisional squad for the team’s Asia tour in September-October, which includes a friendly against India at the Salt Lake Stadium on October 6.

The match will be played three days after India’s much-anticipated clash against Brazil at the same venue on October 3. The squad, announced by the Uruguayan Football Association, includes 21 players from the 26-member squad picked for the recent World Cup.

Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde, Ronald Araujo, Rodrigo Bentancur and Darwin Nunez are among the star names. Nahitan Nandez and former Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira have also returned while naturalised player Alexander Barboza has received a call-up.

However, veteran striker Luis Suarez has not been included in Forlan’s first provisional squad. There were rumours that the Inter Miami forward, who has not played for Uruguay since 2024, could make an international return. Forlan’s presence will be an added attraction for the Indian football fans. The 2010 World Cup Golden Ball winner played for Mumbai City FC during the early years of the Indian Super League.

The provisional Uruguay squad: Goalkeepers: Santiago Mele, Cristopher Fiermarin, Ignacio de Arruabarrena, Sebastian Jaume, Thiago Cardozo; Defenders: Kevin Amaro, Jose Luis Rodriguez, Guillermo Varela, Nahitan Nandez, Santiago Mourino, Nicolas Marichal, Ronald Araujo, Alexander Barboza, Jose Maria Gimenez, Juan Rodriguez, Sebastian Boselli, Santiago Bueno, Sebastian Caceres, Mathias Olivera, Joaquin Piquerez, Lucas Olaza, Marcelo Saracchi, Juan Manuel Sanabria.

Midfielders: Emiliano Martinez, Lucas Torreira, Rodrigo Bentancur, Facundo Bernal, Santiago Homenchenko, Federico Valverde, Agustin Canobbio, Matias Abaldo, Facundo Pellistri, Luciano Rodriguez, Maximiliano Araujo, Lucas Villalba, Brian Rodriguez, Rodrigo Zalazar, Diego Rossi, Giorgian de Arrascaeta; Forwards: Martin Satriano, Agustin A. Martinez, Rodrigo Aguirre, Federico Vinas, Miguel Merentiel, Darwin Nunez, Alvaro Rodriguez.

Diego Forlan has been named head coach of Uruguay’s senior ​and Under-20s sides, the country’s FA (AUF) ‌announced on Thursday (August 6, 2026).

The 47-year-old former Manchester ​United, Atletico Madrid and Inter ⁠Milan forward succeeds Marcelo Bielsa, who left after a winless group-stage exit in Uruguay’s ‌World Cup campaign.

Forlan will begin his tenure immediately with the ‌Under-20 team, the AUF said.

“Forlan returns ‌to ⁠where he left an indelible ⁠mark,” the AUF said in a statement.

“A role model, icon, and emblem of an unforgettable ​generation, the best ‌player of the 2010 South Africa World Cup returns now to contribute his experience, leadership, and profound knowledge ‌of international football from a ​technical position.”

The appointment is part of Uruguay’s efforts to rebuild ⁠following Bielsa’s departure.

The Argentine left when his contract expired and acknowledged in a ‌press conference that he had been unable to mould a talented squad into one capable of avoiding disappointment at the World Cup.

Local media reports also highlighted tensions between Bielsa and ‌some members of the squad during the ​tournament.

Forlan, who won 112 caps and helped Uruguay lift the 2011 ⁠Copa America title, retired from playing ⁠in 2019 and has since coached Uruguayan clubs Penarol and Atenas.

He ‌will take charge of Uruguay’s friendly matches scheduled between September and ​November.