Uruguay vs Spain Preview: Team News & Prediction | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage
We have a crucial encounter in Group H in Guadalajara as Uruguay bid for the knockout stages with a clash against European champions Spain, who are in a fight for top spot.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – ITV / USA – FOX Sports
How to watch online: UK – ITVX / USA – FOX One
Uruguay preview: A bit of a mess
Opting for the unusual tactic of not playing any pre-tournament friendlies, Marcelo Bielsa has come under criticism from the Uruguayan press and legendary striker Luis Suarez, with reports suggesting the former Leeds United boss has a poor relationship with his squad and that is bleeding onto the pitch.
Uruguay's disjointed tournament began with an underwhelming 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia, fighting back in the second half to earn that point, before a 2-2 draw with Cabo Verde in a game in which they were again slightly the better side and had to come from a goal down but again largely underwhelmed and failed to convince.
Spain preview: Finding form
Luis de la Fuente dealt with his own criticism after Spain began their FIFA World Cup campaign in underwhelming fashion, held to a goalless draw by the Cabo Verdeans in Atlanta in their opener with star man Lamine Yamal only able to be introduced after the second half hydration break due to injury.
The Barcelona winger started against the Saudi Arabians in their second game, though, and he got La Roja up and running in a 4-0 rout with UEFA EURO 2024 final match winner Mikel Oyarzabal, who failed to touch the ball for half an hour against Cabo Verde, getting a brace as well as an assist as Spain raced into a 3-0 lead before the first half hydration break.
Uruguay team news: Under pressure
Further news will appear here closer to the match after pre-match press conferences…
One of the things that has been used against Bielsa is the amount of injuries that Uruguay have had with Ronald Araujo and Jose Maria Gimenez both having not been fit enough to play in their opening couple of games alongside Giorgian de Arrascaeta. Both Araujo and De Arrascaeta remain sidelined.
Agustin Canobbio scored against Cabo Verde and will be expected to start ahead of Facundo Pellistri on the right wing once again, with Darwin Nunez fighting with Real Oviedo striker Fede Vinas up-front.
Predicted XI (4-1-4-1): Muslera; Varela, Gimenez, Olivera, Sanabria; Ugarte; Canobbio, Valverde, Bentancur, M. Araujo; Vinas
Unavailable: R. Araujo (Injured), De Arrascaeta (Injured)
Questionable: Gimenez (Fitness)
Spain team news: Easing players into the tournament
Further news will appear here closer to the match after pre-match press conferences…
Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal is expected to once again start as his minutes continue to be managed as he eases himself into the tournament. Nico Williams is another forward having his fitness managed and he may now also start after substitute appearances.
New Liverpool signing and fellow winger Victor Munoz is again a doubt due to injury. Luis de la Fuente has opted for a 4-2-3-1 shape, which squeezes Fabian Ruiz out of the side for the time being.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Simon; Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Williams; Oyarzabal
Unavailable:
Questionable: Munoz (Injured)
Uruguay’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Fernando Muslera ($4.1m) – Goalkeeper
Federico Valverde ($7.5m) – Midfielder
Maxi Araujo ($6.4m) – Midfielder
Matchday 3 captain pick: Federico Valverde
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Federico Valverde
Free kicks: Federico Valverde
Corners: Federico Valverde
Spain’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Marc Cucurella ($5.1m) – Defender
Pedri ($8.1m) – Midfielder
Lamine Yamal ($10.0m) – Midfielder
Matchday 3 captain pick: Lamine Yamal
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Mikel Oyarzabal, Lamine Yamal, Rodri
Free kicks: Pedri, Lamine Yamal
Corners: Lamine Yamal, Pedri
Key stats
- Coming soon
Uruguay vs Spain prediction
If Uruguay were to win this final group game then they would finish above Spain and, should they better the result that Cabo Verde manage against Saudi Arabia, remarkably, they would win the group.
The reason that is remarkable, though, is because the performance level of the Uruguayans is way off where it should be and where it was when they reached the semi-finals of the CONMEBOL Copa America in the first half of the Bielsa era.
Spain remained a fair bit off their absolute best against the Saudis last week but they were majorly improved and will be expected to continue to grow into the tournament and should be backed to simply be better than Uruguay and wrap up top spot in Group H.
Uruguay vs Spain betting tip: Spain to win
