Uruguay Star Julio Enciso Shines at 2026 World Cup Despite Early Injury Doubts

Julio Enciso, the standout player for Uruguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, nearly missed the tournament due to a thigh muscle injury sustained in a friendly match earlier in June. The Paraguayan Football Association had announced his injury, raising concerns about his availability for the World Cup opener. However, Enciso recovered in time and made a significant impact in Uruguay's group stage matches.

He contributed two assists and scored a goal during the group stage, including a key goal against Germany that gave Uruguay a 1-0 lead at halftime in their Round of 32 match. Prior to that, he assisted in games against the United States and Turkey and played the full 90 minutes in a goalless draw with Australia, which secured Uruguay's advancement to the knockout stage.

Enciso also faced the Israeli Olympic team at the Paris 2024 tournament, where he led Uruguay to a 4-2 victory over Guy Luzon's squad, scoring a remarkable goal. Israel's goals in that match came from Omri Gandelman and Oscar Gloukh. Uruguay's run in the 2026 World Cup ended in the quarterfinals after a penalty shootout loss to Egypt.

Enciso's recovery and performance have been pivotal for Uruguay, showcasing his resilience and skill on the world stage despite early doubts about his fitness.