Diego Forlan impressed by Uruguay's Asia tour after 2026 World Cup exit
Synopsis
Diego Forlan's managerial debut with Uruguay ended in a three-game Asia swing that included a 4-1 demolition of South Korea and a 6-1 rout of India — results that suggest the 2010 World Cup Golden Ball winner is already putting his stamp on the Celeste after Bielsa's World Cup failure.
Key Takeaways
Diego Forlan took charge of Uruguay in August 2026 , replacing Marcelo Bielsa after the World Cup group-stage exit.
Uruguay's Asia tour: lost 3-1 to Japan (Miyagi, 24 Sep), beat South Korea 4-1 (Seoul, 28 Sep), beat India 6-1 (Kolkata, 6 Oct).
Forlan, 47 , also manages Uruguay's under-20 national team .
As a player, Forlan scored 36 goals in 112 games and won the 2010 World Cup Golden Ball .
Forlan singled out the South Korea match as the standout performance of the tour.
Former Uruguay striker Diego Forlan has given an upbeat assessment of his first stint as head coach of the Uruguayan national team, praising his players' commitment and attitude during a three-match friendly tour of Asia in late September and early October 2026. The tour came in the wake of Uruguay's disappointing early exit from the FIFA 2026 World Cup, and Forlan appears determined to rebuild the Celeste's momentum.
Tour Results at a Glance
Uruguay's Asia swing produced mixed but ultimately encouraging results. The side went down 3-1 to Japan in Miyagi on 24 September, before bouncing back to defeat South Korea 4-1 in Seoul on 28 September. They then rounded off the tour with a commanding 6-1 win over India in Kolkata on 6 October.
Forlan's Assessment of the Squad
'The feeling was great,' Forlan told reporters at a news conference on Tuesday. 'The team showed its quality throughout. We were able to give debuts to several players and the established ones performed at a very high level. It was a pleasure to be a part of the group.'
The 47-year-old coach, who also oversees Uruguay's under-20 national team, singled out the squad's collective desire to represent the Celeste as a key source of confidence. 'What gave me the most peace of mind was their backing, their desire to come [to the national team],' he said. 'We had talks with them beforehand, and everyone wanted to be there.'
South Korea Win Stands Out
Forlan reserved particular praise for the 4-1 victory over South Korea, suggesting it was a landmark display by his standards. 'Honestly, I believe it had been a long time since I'd seen Uruguay's national team play the way they did against an opponent of a high standard,' he said. 'We scored some high-quality goals and controlled the tempo from the start. In the second half we could have scored a fifth or sixth goal.'
Forlan's Path to the Dugout
Forlan was appointed as Uruguay's head coach in August 2026, replacing Marcelo Bielsa just weeks after the team failed to advance past the group stage at the World Cup. As a player, Forlan scored 36 goals in 112 appearances for the national team and won the Golden Ball at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, having scored five goals to guide Uruguay to the semifinals. His club career included stints at Manchester United, Villarreal, Atletico Madrid, and Inter Milan.
His managerial experience at club level spans Uruguayan sides Penarol and Atenas. With a strong Asia tour behind him, Forlan will now look to build consistency ahead of Uruguay's upcoming competitive fixtures.
Point of View
But the real test lies ahead. A 3-1 loss to Japan is a reminder that the Celeste still have defensive vulnerabilities, and friendly results against South Korea and India — neither at full World Cup strength — should not be over-read. The more significant question is whether Forlan, whose club management record is modest, can translate iconic player status into sustainable tactical identity at international level. Uruguay's 2026 World Cup failure under the more experienced Bielsa sets a cautionary precedent: pedigree as a player is no guarantee of success in the dugout.
NationPress
14 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Diego Forlan and why was he appointed Uruguay coach?
Diego Forlan is a former Uruguay striker who scored 36 goals in 112 international appearances and won the Golden Ball at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He was appointed head coach of the Uruguayan national team in August 2026 after Marcelo Bielsa's tenure ended following Uruguay's group-stage exit at the 2026 World Cup.
What were Uruguay's results on the Asia tour in 2026?
Uruguay lost 3-1 to Japan in Miyagi on 24 September, beat South Korea 4-1 in Seoul on 28 September, and defeated India 6-1 in Kolkata on 6 October 2026. The three-match friendly series was Forlan's first in charge of the senior national team.
What did Forlan say about Uruguay's performance against South Korea?
Forlan described the 4-1 win over South Korea as the standout moment of the tour, saying it had 'been a long time' since he had seen Uruguay play that well against a high-standard opponent. He noted the team controlled the tempo from the start and could have scored even more in the second half.
Does Forlan have any previous coaching experience?
Yes, Forlan has managed Uruguayan club sides Penarol and Atenas before taking charge of the national team. He also simultaneously oversees Uruguay's under-20 national team alongside the senior role.
What is next for Forlan's Uruguay after the Asia tour?
With the Asia friendly tour complete and several squad debutants blooded, Uruguay will now focus on upcoming competitive fixtures as Forlan continues to build his squad. No specific next fixtures were detailed, but the emphasis is on consolidating the momentum from the South Korea and India wins.
