After a sensational debut campaign for Orlando City, young Uruguayan forward Facundo Torres received his biggest honor yet: a chance to represent his country at the FIFA World Cup.
Uruguay's World Cup roster is set 🇺🇾 pic.twitter.com/E234ivXMfG
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 11, 2022
Torres has flirted with the first team for Diego Alonso and La Celeste, but hadn't firmly grabbed a spot for Qatar. After an excellent end of the season in MLS, the former Peñarol inked his place on one of the best national teams in the world.
Orlando's star man is the only current or former MLS forward to crack the squad. Former LAFC wingers Diego Rossi and Brian Rodriguez have both represented Uruguay, while Torres's Orlando City teammate César Araújo also made the preliminary roster, just missing out on the final 26.
Los Angeles Galaxy center back Martín Cáceres will also represent La Celeste in Qatar.
It's a massive opportunity for Torres, even if he doesn't see the field much in a stacked lineup featuring international superstars like Luis Suarez and Federico Valverde. Torres's profile continues to rise internationally, with rumored interest from Arsenal and now a spot in Qatar. The 23-year-old's Transfermark value continues to rise as well, now sitting at $8 million.
Torres is the only Orlando City player to make a World Cup roster. Araújo made the preliminary squad for Uruguay, but no other Lions even sniffed a trip to Qatar. Former Lion Sebas Méndez, fresh off an MLS Cup victory with Los Angeles FC, made the final squad for Ecuador.