Fede urges Uruguay to "work harder, press more"

Fede Valverde, after the match against Saudi Arabia, emphasized the need for Uruguay to improve their performance. The team drew 1-1 in the World Cup opener on June 16, 2026. Valverde acknowledged that Uruguay played much better in the second half but expressed frustration over their inability to claim all three points. He noted, "We were much better in the second half. Anxiety played against us in our quest for goals. In the second half, we implemented our game plan, which is what the coach wanted. We are frustrated and upset, but I am very happy with the effort of all my teammates."

Reflecting on the match conditions, he remarked, "The heat was tough, but it was also hard for them. We should focus on what we did in the second half: work more, press more, and seek more opportunities. I want to thank the fans who helped us push forward."

Valverde added that the support from fans gave the team tremendous energy. He stated, "The support from the people gave us a lot of energy, as they pushed along with us. I thank them from the bottom of my heart. We will continue to fight and work three times harder to win the next match."

Addressing the issues faced by South American teams in the tournament, he said, "I haven’t watched much football recently; I've primarily focused on improving myself and my teammates. I believe we rushed in trying to win without playing our game. In the second half, it was crucial for us to get into the area, exploit spaces, and press when we lost the ball. There was a radical change from the first to the second half."

Uruguay will now regroup and prepare for their next challenge in the World Cup as they try to build on the performance in the second half against Saudi Arabia.