Uruguay vs Cabo Verde Preview: Team News & Prediction | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage
Two-time world champions Uruguay were held to a frustrating draw in their opener, while Cabo Verde enjoyed a famous day last week as they now face off against each other in Miami.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – BBC / USA – FOX Sports
How to watch online: UK – BBC iPlayer & the BBC Sport website & app / USA – FOX One
Uruguay preview: Frustrated Uruguay
Following a tumultuous build-up to FIFA World Cup 2026 for the Uruguayans, Marcelo Bielsa is under a bit of pressure after a dip in the last couple of years. They didn't play in any pre-tournament friendlies with quite a few injury concerns blighting their preparation.
In their opener, Uruguay were underwhelming in the first half against Saudi Arabia, eventually going behind before the break via Abdulelah Al Amri. Bielsa made a couple of tweaks at half-time and they were much-improved in the second half with Maximiliano Araujo eventually getting the equaliser and Saudi Arabia being forced to only just hold on for a point towards the end of the game.
Cabo Verde preview: A famous day
At their first ever FIFA World Cup, Cabo Verde produced potentially the most memorable display in their footballing history as they earned a point against European champions Spain in Atlanta.
For their part. Spain certainly weren't at their best but there with some notably heroic performances from the likes of Vozinha, Roberto Lopes and Diney, and Cabo Verde could have even snatched a win late on.
It was a clear and well structured game plan throughout by Bubista and one that will give them even more confidence after a positive build-up that involved victories against Serbia and then Bermuda.
Uruguay team news: A few injuries
Further team news will appear here closer to the match after pre-match press conferences...
Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo had to travel to Barcelona for treatment in the build-up to the tournament and he was one of two absentees from their opener, alongside Giorgian de Arrascaeta - who is expected to once again be unavailable.
Bielsa made some changes at half-time against Saudi Arabia with versatile forward Agustin Canobbio coming off the bench and performing well. He could well get a start here, alongside Juan Sanabria of Real Salt Lake. Jose Maria Gimenez was not fit to start against Saudi Arabia and he again may have to sit out here.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Muslera; Varela, Caceres, Olivera, Sanabria; Ugarte, Bentancur; Canobbio, Valverde, M. Araujo; Vinas
Unavailable: De Arrascaeta (Injured)
Questionable: Gimenez (Fitness), Araujo (Injured)
Cabo Verde team news: Costa could come back in
Further team news will appear here closer to the match after pre-match press conferences...
Villarreal centre-back Logan Costa missed more or less the entirety of last season due to an ACL injury and he is seeking to rediscover his absolute best form and fitness. He does, though, have a job on his hands to get in ahead of either Diney or Roberto Lopes, also known as Pico.
Dailon Livramento was the man to lead the line for Cabo Verde, pipping the experienced Garry Rodrigues up front and that is expected to be the same again here with Jamiro Monteiro, Ryan Mendes and Jovane Cabral in behind.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Vozinha; Moreira, Lopes, Diney, Lopes Cabral; Lenini, L. Duarte; Mendes, Monteiro, J. Cabral; Livramento
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Uruguay’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Fernando Muslera ($4.1m) – Goalkeeper
Federico Valverde ($7.5m) – Midfielder
Maxi Araujo ($6.4m) – Midfielder
Matchday 2 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
Cabo Verde’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Steven Moreira ($3.9m) – Defender
Jamiro Monteiro ($4.6m) – Midfielder
Ryan Mendes ($4.9m) – Forward
Matchday 2 captain pick: Ryan Mendes
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Garry Rodrigues, Ryan Mendes
Free kicks: Jamiro Monteiro
Corners: Sidny Cabral
Key stats
- Uruguay are unbeaten in their five previous FIFA World Cup matches against African teams (W3 D2), winning the last two without conceding (1-0 v. Egypt 2018 group stage and 2-0 v. Ghana 2022 group stage).
- Uruguay have lost only two of their last 15 FIFA World Cup group stage matches (W8 D5).
- Fernando Muslera could make his 18th FIFA World Cup appearance, setting a new Uruguayan record. He currently shares top spot with Edinson Cavani on 17 appearances at the finals.
- Cabo Verde have played two previous international matches against South American opponents, a 0-1 defeat to Ecuador in a June 2022 friendly in Fort Lauderdale and a 2-4 loss against Chile in the FIFA Series in March 2026 in New Zealand.
- Fernando Muslera (Uruguay) and Garry Rodrigues (Cabo Verde) were team-mates at Turkish club Galatasaray from 2017-19.
- Uruguay’s Manuel Ugarte and Cabo Verde’s Jovane Cabral played together for Sporting CP from 2021-23.
Click here for EVEN MORE stats & facts about this fixture!
Uruguay vs Cabo Verde prediction
In the second half against Saudi Arabia, Uruguay really upped the tempo. Their preparation of no friendlies, as preferred by Bielsa, was unusual and left them unpredictable. The possibility that they were underdone and rusty was almost exactly balanced against the potential of being completely fresh and able to out-run teams. It turns out, their first half was the former and the second half more of the latter.
That intensity is not necessarily something Cabo Verde had to deal with against Spain - and while that would be a slight concern, Bubista and his side will believe it could even suit them to be able to spring forward on the counter-attack themselves and punish whatever space is afforded to them. As a result, while the Uruguayans remain favourites, adding 'both teams to score' should offer decent value.
Uruguay vs Cabo Verde betting tip: Uruguay to win & both teams to score
