Contents
- Competition: World Cup
- Date: 15th June 2026
- Kick-off: 23:00 UK / 00:00 CEST
- Venue: Hard Rock Stadium
Saudi Arabia and Uruguay open their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaigns on Monday in Miami for a fascinating Group H showdown. Marcelo Bielsa's heavily favored La Celeste boasts a world-class midfield led by Federico Valverde, entering their first tournament without Luis Suárez. Meanwhile, the Green Falcons counter with tactical discipline under new boss Georgios Donis and the veteran leadership of Salem Al-Dawsari. Let’s preview this competitive clash.
Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay Head to Head (H2H) stats
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Uruguay
1 : 0
Saudi Arabia
World Cup
-
Saudi Arabia
1 : 1
Uruguay
Friendly International
This will be the fourth meeting between these two proud football nations. While their overall head-to-head record is perfectly even at one win apiece and a draw, Uruguay claimed a narrow 1-0 victory during their only previous World Cup clash in 2018. This Miami showdown serves as the ultimate tiebreaker.
Saudi Arabia team overview
Saudi Arabia enters this match on the back of a mixed bag of warm-up results, culminating in a scoreless 0-0 draw against Senegal in their final pre-tournament friendly.
The Green Falcons are currently on a two-match unbeaten run, having previously secured a commanding 3-0 victory over Puerto Rico, which snapped a worrying three-game losing streak.
Georgios Donis' men are finding their footing under their newly appointed manager as they look to build tactical continuity ahead of this tough opening fixture.
Captain Salem Al-Dawsari remains the undisputed talisman, boasting over 100 caps and multiple crucial goal contributions across past international tournaments.
Fortunately for the squad, they head into the finals with no major injury absentees, allowing the technical bench to field a full-strength, heavily domestic-based starting lineup.
Last matches of Saudi Arabia
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Ecuador
2 : 1
Saudi Arabia
Friendly International
-
Serbia
2 : 1
Saudi Arabia
Friendly International
-
Saudi Arabia
0 : 4
Egypt
Friendly International
-
Saudi Arabia
0 : 1
Jordan
Arab Cup
-
Palestine
0 : 1
Saudi Arabia
Arab Cup
Saudi Arabia lineup
Goalkeeper
-
21
Mohammed Al-Owais
Defenders
-
12
Saud Abdulhamid
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5
Hassan Tambakti
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3
Ali Lajami
-
13
Nawaf Boushal
Midfielders
-
23
Mohamed Kanno
-
6
Nasser Al-Dawsari
-
7
Musab Al-Juwayr
Forwards
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8
Ayman Yahya
-
10
Salem Al-Dawsari
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9
Firas Al-Buraikan
Uruguay team overview
Uruguay enters this match on the back of a defensively solid but quiet international break, culminating in a 0-0 draw against Algeria in their final pre-tournament friendly.
The Sky Blue are currently on a two-match unbeaten run, following a highly competitive 1-1 draw against England just days prior.
Marcelo Bielsa's men have fully adopted a high-pressing, relentless identity that prioritizes suffocating opponents in the middle of the pitch.
Striker Darwin Núñez serves as the primary focal point upfront, contributing an outstanding eight goals and three assists over his recent international appearances.
However, the squad faces a massive defensive test due to a noticeable absentee, as star center-back Ronald Araújo misses out on the tournament opener due to a lingering muscle injury.
Last matches of Uruguay
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Algeria
0 : 0
Uruguay
Friendly International
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England
1 : 1
Uruguay
Friendly International
-
United States
5 : 1
Uruguay
Friendly International
-
Mexico
0 : 0
Uruguay
Friendly International
-
Uzbekistan
1 : 2
Uruguay
Friendly International
Uruguay lineup
Goalkeeper
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1
Sergio Rochet
Defenders
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13
Guillermo Varela
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4
Ronald Araújo
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2
José María Giménez
-
16
Mathías Olivera
Midfielders
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8
Federico Valverde
-
5
Manuel Ugarte
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7
Nicolás de la Cruz
Forwards
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11
Facundo Pellistri
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20
Maximiliano Araújo
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9
Darwin Núñez
Prediction
Uruguay are primed to edge this tight encounter, using Marcelo Bielsa’s relentless high press to stifle Saudi Arabia’s buildup play. While Ronald Araújo's absence tests La Celeste’s defense, a world-class midfield anchored by Federico Valverde will dominate possession. With the Green Falcons struggling for goals, expect talisman Darwin Núñez to exploit a solitary defensive lapse and secure a clinical 1-0 victory for the South American giants.
Three reasons we expect under 2.5 goals in this game
- Five of the last seven games of Uruguay ended with under 2.5 goals.
- Saudi Arabia have scored 2+ goals in just one of their last seven matches.
- Each of the last two meetings between Saudi Arabia and Uruguay ended with under 2.5 goals.
Main prediction Saudi Arabia - Uruguay
Under 2.5 goals
Best Odds:
Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay standings in World Cup
| Group H | P | W | D | L |
G - A
|
GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uruguay | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 - 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2 | Saudi Arabia | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 - 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 3 | Spain | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 4 | Cape Verde Islands | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 1 |