Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay Preview and Prediction: 2026 FIFA World Cup Group H

Saudi Arabia, ranked 61st in the world, face two-time World Cup winners Uruguay in the second Group H fixture at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami on Tuesday, 17 June 2026 (02:00 UTC / 05:00 EAT (Tuesday, 17 June 2026)). Both sides arrive on the back of unconvincing pre-tournament form. Our prediction: Uruguay to win or draw (X2).

Match details

Can Saudi Arabia conjure another upset?

Saudi Arabia arrive at the 2026 FIFA World Cup carrying one of football’s most memorable recent upsets on their CV. Their 2-1 comeback victory over Argentina in the 2022 group stage opener in Qatar shocked the world. That result, however, proved to be the peak of their tournament — they failed to advance from the group stage and have not progressed beyond the first round since their debut at USA 1994.

Ranked 61st in the world, Saudi Arabia are the lowest-ranked side in Group H. With only one player in their squad based at a club outside Saudi Arabia, they are at a structural disadvantage in terms of exposure to European-level football. Firas Al-Buraikan leads the attack but has not scored in his last six matches. Salem Al Dawsari remains their most dangerous outlet and will start on the left flank, with Sultan Mandash on the right. Their final warm-up before the tournament ended in a goalless draw against Senegal.

Uruguay, two-time World Cup winners (1930, 1950), arrive with more pedigree but with their own question marks. Marcelo Bielsa’s side qualified from CONMEBOL but dropped points in nine of their last 12 qualifying matches — a run that raises doubts about their consistency. In a historic first for Uruguayan football, their squad contains no locally-based players for the first time ever. Bielsa has maintained confidence in the group, but results need to follow.

Their most recent pre-tournament result was a goalless draw with Algeria, a third stalemate in their last five matches. Darwin Nuñez is the focal point of the attack, having contributed five goal involvements in qualifying. Ronald Araujo is absent — he returned to Barcelona for treatment — but Manuel Ugarte and Rodrigo Bentancur are fit and will start in midfield. Veteran goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, 39, starts in goal in what is almost certainly his final World Cup appearance.

Group H also features Spain and Cape Verde. Spain are heavy favourites to top the group, making the result of this second fixture crucial for both Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in terms of their knockout stage ambitions.

Team news and expected line-ups

Saudi Arabia expected XI: (GK); (RB), (CB), (CB), (LB); (CM), (CM); Mandash, Al Dawsari; Al-Buraikan, (ST). — Update once official line-ups confirmed.

Uruguay expected XI: Muslera (GK); (RB), (CB), (CB), (LB); Ugarte, Bentancur; (W), (AM), (W); Nuñez / Viñas. — Update once official line-ups confirmed.

Note: Ronald Araujo is absent (returned to Barcelona for treatment). Confirm whether Federico Viñas or Darwin Nuñez leads the line, and update once official XI is released.

Key stats

• Saudi Arabia: ranked 61st in the world. Have not advanced past the World Cup group stage since their debut at USA 1994.
• Saudi Arabia: only one player in their squad based outside the Saudi Pro League.
• Saudi Arabia: beat Argentina 2-1 as group stage openers at Qatar 2022 — one of the biggest World Cup upsets in recent history.
• Saudi Arabia form (last 5): D W L L L — sole win was a 3-0 result over Puerto Rico. Final warm-up: 0-0 vs Senegal.
• Uruguay: two-time World Cup winners (1930, 1950). No locally-based players in squad for first time in their history.
• Uruguay: dropped points in 9 of their last 12 CONMEBOL qualifiers.
• Uruguay form (last 5): D D L D W — three draws in last five. Final warm-up: 0-0 vs Algeria.
• Darwin Nuñez: 5 goal involvements in CONMEBOL qualifying.
• Ronald Araujo: absent (injury, returned to Barcelona for treatment).
• Fernando Muslera (GK, age 39): expected to be making his final World Cup appearance.
• H2H: Saudi Arabia lead 1-0-1 — one win each and one draw across three previous meetings.
• Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay. Spain won their opener against Cape Verde.

Head-to-head

Saudi Arabia and Uruguay have met three times previously, with each side winning once and the other match ending in a draw. Their most recent encounter was a 1-0 Uruguay win at the 2018 World Cup group stage — the only previous World Cup meeting between the two sides. That result will be in the minds of both camps as they prepare for this rematch on the biggest stage.

Current form

Our prediction

This is a more evenly contested fixture than the group standings suggest on paper. Saudi Arabia demonstrated at the 2022 World Cup that they are capable of defeating significantly higher-ranked opposition on their day, and the memory of that Argentina result should not be easily dismissed.

However, Saudi Arabia’s recent form — three consecutive defeats heading into the tournament, a goalless draw in their final warm-up — is a significant concern. Al-Buraikan’s goalscoring drought (six matches without a goal) is particularly worrying for a side that needs him to produce at this level.

Uruguay’s unconvincing qualifying run and the absence of Araujo give cause for concern on the other side. But Bielsa’s tactical organisation and the individual quality of Nuñez, Ugarte, and Bentancur should be enough to see them avoid defeat at minimum, and most likely take all three points.

Our prediction: Uruguay to win or draw (X2).

Odds and markets

Odds correct at 01:00 UTC on 16/06/26 and subject to change.

How to bet on SportPesa

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3. Enter your stake and place your bet.

Frequently asked questions

What time does Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay kick off?

Kick-off is at 02:00 UTC / 05:00 EAT (Tuesday, 17 June 2026) on Tuesday, 17 June 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, USA.

What is the Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay head-to-head record?

The sides have met three times previously. Saudi Arabia won their first meeting 3-2 in 2002, the 2014 friendly ended 1-1, and Uruguay won the most recent encounter 1-0 at the 2018 World Cup group stage.

What group are Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in at World Cup 2026?

Both sides are in Group H alongside Spain and Cape Verde. Spain beat Cape Verde in the opening Group H fixture on 16 June 2026.

Has Saudi Arabia ever advanced from the World Cup group stage?

Saudi Arabia reached the round of 16 at their debut tournament in USA 1994 but have not advanced past the group stage in any subsequent World Cup appearance, including their famous 2022 campaign when they beat Argentina but still failed to qualify from the group.

Who are Uruguay’s key players at World Cup 2026?

Darwin Nuñez leads the attacking line and was Uruguay’s most productive player in qualifying with five goal involvements. Manuel Ugarte and Rodrigo Bentancur anchor the midfield. Veteran goalkeeper Fernando Muslera starts in goal in what is expected to be his final World Cup.