The FIFA World Cup roster includes Ronald Araujo

In selecting the Barcelona defender for their 26-man World Cup roster in Qatar, Uruguay took a chance on Ronald Araujo's ability to heal. Valencia striker Edinson Cavani also received the go-ahead despite a recent injury scare. Araujo, a cornerstone of the Uruguayan defence, underwent thigh surgery in September after suffering an injury while representing his country, and he has been making a decent recovery ever since, according to the head of the national soccer association.

In what are very certainly going to be their final appearances at soccer's biggest event, the first-time World Cup champions have chosen a combination of youth and experience, including the ageing Luis Suarez, Diego Godin, and Cavani. With less than two weeks until Uruguay's first match against South Korea, the 35-year-old Cavani has scored four goals in his seven league games for Valencia this season, but he faces a race against time to recover from an ankle injury.