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:
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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began with Roberto Mancini in charge of Saudi Arabia before Herve Renard returned to help them qualify but he has since been replaced by Greek manager Georgios Donis.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.
In their pre-tournament friendlies, the Saudi Arabians were beaten 2-1 by Ecuador before a 3-0 hammering of Puerto Rico and then a more than respectable goalless draw with Senegal.
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.
Surprisingly, albeit perhaps not so surprisingly given the reputation that precedes Marcelo Bielsa, the Uruguayans opted to not take part in any pre-tournament friendlies in the immediate build-up to this summer.
Saudi Arabia team news: Al Hamdan a doubt
Georgios Donis has been dealt something of a blow, or at least a headache, in the build-up to the tournament with forward Abdullah Al Hamdan forced off against Senegal due to an ankle injury and he was a major doubt to face the Uruguayans this week but has returned to training with Nawaf Al Aqidi a confirmed absentee.
The Saudi Arabians are expected to go with a back three, as has been the case for the last few years even though Donis often played a 4-2-3-1 when at Al Khaleej. There is continued importance on the likes of Salem Al Dawsari and Firas Al Buraikan in the final third.
Predicted XI (3-5-1-1): Al Owais; Tambakti, Al Amri, Al Harbi; Abdulhamid, Al Khaibari Al Juwayr, N. Al Dawsari, Abu Al Shamat; S. Al Dawsari; Al Buraikan
Unavailable: Al Aqidi (Injured)
Questionable: Al Hamdan (Fitness)
Uruguay team news: A few doubts
The brother of Ronald Araujo has criticised the medical staff of Uruguay for apparently provoking or not helping with injury issues. Araujo has been to Spain in the build-up for treatment with a calf injury. He has joined fellow centre-back Jose Maria Gimenez on the treatment table in the build-up with the Atletico Madrid defender a major doubt, amid a disrupted build-up for the Uruguayans that Bielsa himself has taken responsibility for.
The likely centre-back pairing will be Sebastian Caceres and Santiago Bueno, with the former hoping to see off a recent knock to his head. Matias Vina is also shaking off a muscle issue.
Key attacking midfielder Giorgian de Arrascaeta has also suffered an injury that led to suggestions he may even be unavailable for the whole tournament but it may just be the first game that he misses due to his own calf injury. That means that Rodrigo Bentancur is expected to come in.
Fernando Muslera has been recalled to the squad to compete for the 'number one' spot once again, but Sergio Rochet is expected to keep his spot between the sticks.
Predicted XI (4-1-4-1): Rochet; Varela, Bueno, Caceres Olivera; Ugarte; Pellistri, Valverde, Bentancur, M. Araujo; Nunez
Unavailable: R. Araujo (Injured), De Arrascaeta (Injured)
Questionable: Caceres (Injured), Gimenez (Fitness), Vina (Injured)
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
Sergio Rochet ($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
Uruguay will try and play an intense and aggressive pressing style in typical Marcelo Bielsa fashion. The Uruguayans have dipped as the Bielsa era has gone on but, with a need to be at their freshest, the lack of pre-tournament friendlies could really go either way; either at their fittest or still a bit rusty. They face a Saudi Arabian side that would have been concerned a few months ago but they have shown signs of improvement, particularly defensively, since the appointment of Donis. As a result, while Uruguay have to remain favourites for their opening game in Group H, the South Americans may find it difficult to break their opposition down with ease or regularity.
Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay betting tip: Uruguay to win & under 3.5 goals
