In the 2011–12 football season, the top league, Uruguayan Primera División, was won by Nacional.

The national team played the first five of its qualifying matches for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and took part in the 2011 Pan American Games, where the team lost to Argentina in the semifinal.

Defensor Sporting eliminated by finishing in 3rd place in their group.

Nacional eliminated by finishing in 3rd place in their group.

Peñarol eliminated by finishing in 4th place in their group.