Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay Preview: Team News & Prediction | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage
Saudi Arabia have experienced a topsy-turvy few years as the Green Falcons kick off their FIFA World Cup campaign against two-time champions Uruguay.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – ITV / USA – FOX Sports
How to watch online: UK – ITVX / USA – FOX One
Saudi Arabia preview: A lot of change
The four-year international cycle began with Roberto Mancini in charge of Saudi Arabia before Herve Renard returned to help them qualify but he has since been replaced by Greek manager Georgios Donis.
Donis left his role in charge of Al Khaleej to take charge of the Saudis in April after the Saudi Arabians began the calendar year with a 4-0 hammering at the hands of Egypt before then succumbing to a 2-1 loss to Serbia in March.
Uruguay preview: Declining Uruguayans
Under the management of former Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa, the Uruguayans head into the FIFA World Cup in fairly mixed form after a bright start to his reign. They began this year by snatching a 1-1 draw with England at Wembley Stadium before a goalless draw against Algeria.
The South Americans finished the year poorly, too, and the two-time world champions have declined since they reached the semi-finals of the 2024 CONMEBOL Copa America in the USA a couple of years ago.
Saudi Arabia team news
Team news will appear here closer to the match…
Predicted XI (X-X-X-X): TBC
Unavailable: TBC
Questionable: TBC
Uruguay team news
Team news will appear here closer to the match…
Predicted XI (X-X-X-X): TBC
Unavailable: TBC
Questionable: TBC
Saudi Arabia’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Saud Abdulhamid ($4.1m) – Defender
Nasser Al-Dawsari ($5.2m) – Midfielder
Salem Al-Dawsari ($7.2m) – Midfielder
Matchday 1 captain pick: Salem Al-Dawsari
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Firas Al-Buraikan, Salem Al-Dawsari
Free kicks: Salem Al-Dawsari
Corners: Salem Al-Dawsari
Uruguay’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Fernando Muslera ($4.1m) – Goalkeeper
Federico Valverde ($7.5m) – Midfielder
Darwin Nunez ($7.5m) – Forward
Matchday 1 captain pick: Federico Valverde
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Darwin Nunez, Federico Valverde
Free kicks: Federico Valverde, Nicolas de la Cruz
Corners: Nicolas de la Cruz, Federico Valverde
Key stats
- Saudi Arabia have now qualified for seven of the last nine FIFA World Cup editions, having made their tournament debut at USA 1994, where they reached the round of 16 – their best performance to date.
- Saudi Arabia are starting a FIFA World Cup campaign against South American opposition for the second successive edition, having defeated Argentina 2-1 at Qatar 2022. Their only other meeting with a CONMEBOL team at the finals was the 1-0 loss to Uruguay in their second group match at the 2018 tournament.
- Uruguay are making their 15th overall FIFA World Cup appearance in 2026, marking their fifth consecutive qualification since last missing out in 2006, their longest streak.
- La Celeste are two-time FIFA World Cup champions, having won the inaugural tournament on home soil in 1930 with a 4-2 victory over Argentina in the final. They claimed their second title in 1950, triumphing in their next appearance after having missed the 1934 and 1938 editions.
- Uruguay made a remarkable start to their World Cup history, going unbeaten in their first 11 matches with ten wins and one draw, before falling to Hungary in extra time during the 1954 semi-finals.
- Uruguay have won their opening match in only one of their last eight FIFA World Cup campaigns (D4 L3), their sole success a 1-0 victory over Egypt in 2018.
- Argentine Marcelo Bielsa is Uruguay’s first non‑Uruguayan head coach at a FIFA World Cup. Argentine‑born Juan Hohberg led the team at the 1970 finals after having represented Uruguay as a player at the 1954 edition.
- Fernando Muslera is participating in his fifth FIFA World Cup, making him the first Uruguayan player ever to reach this milestone. An appearance here would also see him tie the Uruguay record for most World Cup matches played, a mark currently held by Edinson Cavani, who made 17 appearances at the finals.
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Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay prediction
In typical Bielsa style, Uruguay will try and play a very aggressive and intense style of football. That does require efficiency in the final third but that is not necessarily something that they currently possess with a reliance on the often profligate, albeit hard-working, Darwin Nunez. The Saudis may well be improved under Donis and so while it may not be the most thrilling for the neutral, Uruguay do remain the favourites in their opener.
Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay betting tip: Uruguay to win & under 3.5 goals
