Uruguay vs Spain Prediction. Uruguay must beat Spain to qualify from Group H when the two sides meet at Estadio Akron, Guadalajara on Saturday, 27 June 2026 (00:00 UTC / 03:00 EAT). Spain are unbeaten and yet to concede a goal in the tournament. Yamal scores his second; Oyarzabal starts after his brace vs Saudi Arabia. Our prediction: Spain to win. Full analysis, team news, line-ups and all markets on SportPesa.
Match details
| Field | Detail |
| Competition | 2026 FIFA World Cup — Group H, Match Day 3 |
| Date & kick-off | Saturday, 27 June 2026 at 00:00 UTC / 03:00 EAT |
| Venue | Estadio Akron, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico |
| Group H standings | After Match Day 2: Spain 4pts (qualified), Uruguay 2pts, Cape Verde 2pts, Saudi Arabia 1pt |
| Stakes | Uruguay must win to qualify. Spain need to avoid defeat to finish top. Simultaneous: Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia. |
| Where to watch | DSTV/GOTV |
Uruguay’s must-win mission vs Spain’s immovable defence
Uruguay’s 2026 World Cup campaign has been characterised by draws and frustration. A goalless run of form going into the tournament has stretched to six consecutive matches without a win. The injury absences of Ronald Araujo and Giorgian De Arrascaeta have left Marcelo Bielsa’s side without two of their most important contributors, and the 2-2 draw against Cape Verde on Match Day 2 — despite Maximiliano Araujo and Agustín Canobbio both scoring — was not the statement result they needed. The nation’s last group-stage exit was in 2002; the motivation to avoid repeating that is absolute.
The starting XI is expected to be unchanged. Fernando Muslera in goal. Federico Valverde and Rodrigo Bentancur control midfield. Federico Viñas leads the attack with M. Araujo and Canobbio wide. Uruguay need to score against a Spain defence that has yet to concede in this tournament — a formidable task.
Spain continue to grow. Luis de la Fuente’s side were clinical against Saudi Arabia — Yamal scored his first World Cup goal, Oyarzabal netted twice, and the 4-0 margin could have been greater. Spain are unbeaten in 12 matches and have the tournament’s best defensive record. Two changes are expected from that XI: Ferran Torres comes in for his first start of the campaign on the left, replacing Dani Olmo; Oyarzabal retains his place after the brace.
The key battle is between Valverde’s driving midfield energy and Pedri’s composure and creativity in Spain’s middle third. If Uruguay can win that battle, they create enough chances to score. If not, Spain’s superior technical quality will likely dominate the match.
Availability
| Player | Status |
| Ronald Araujo (Uruguay) | OUT — injury (confirmed from MD2 file) |
| Giorgian De Arrascaeta (Uruguay) | OUT — injury (confirmed from MD2 file) |
| Dani Olmo (Spain) | BENCH — Ferran Torres starts in his place |
| Yeremy Pino (Spain) | BENCH for this match |
Team news and expected line-ups
Uruguay: Unchanged XI. Muslera in goal. Valverde and Bentancur midfield. Viñas leads. M. Araujo and Canobbio wide.
Spain: Yamal starts on the right. Torres in for Olmo on the left. Oyarzabal retains his place up front. Pedri, Zubimendi, Ruiz in midfield.
| Uruguay (4-3-3) | Spain (4-3-3) |
| Muslera (GK) | Simon (GK) |
| Cáceres (RB) | Carvajal (RB) |
| Giménez (CB) | Le Normand (CB) |
| Olivera (CB) | Vivian (CB) |
| Vina (LB) | Cucurella (LB) |
| Bentancur (CM) | Pedri (DM) |
| Valverde (CM) | Zubimendi (CM) |
| Ugarte (DM) | Ruiz (CM) |
| M. Araujo (RW) | Yamal (RW) |
| Canobbio (LM) | Oyarzabal (ST) |
| Viñas (ST) | Torres (LW) |
Key stats
- Uruguay: 2pts from 2 matches. Drew Saudi Arabia 1-1 (MD1, M. Araujo scored), drew Cape Verde 2-2 (MD2, M. Araujo and Canobbio scored).
- Uruguay: 6 games without a win. Last victory: 2-1 friendly vs Uzbekistan (October 2025).
- Uruguay: Ronald Araujo and Giorgian De Arrascaeta both absent through injury.
- Federico Valverde (Real Madrid): midfield engine. Crucial to Uruguay’s hope of controlling possession.
- Rodrigo Bentancur: alongside Valverde in midfield. Experience of the highest level.
- Federico Viñas: leads the line in the continued absence of Darwin Núñez in this starting role.
- Spain: 4pts from 2 matches. Drew Uruguay 1-1 (MD1, Olmo), beat Saudi Arabia 4-0 (MD2 — Yamal, Oyarzabal ×2, Nico Williams).
- Spain: unbeaten in last 12 matches. Yet to concede a goal in the tournament.
- Lamine Yamal (17): scored his first World Cup goal vs Saudi Arabia. Starts here.
- Mikel Oyarzabal: scored a brace vs Saudi Arabia. Retains his place.
- Ferran Torres: makes his first start of the campaign on the left wing.
- H2H (last 5): Spain W4 D1. Last meeting: Spain 2-1 Uruguay (June 2013).
- Group H standings (after MD2): Spain 4pts (qualified), Uruguay 2pts, Cape Verde 2pts, Saudi Arabia 1pt.
Head-to-head
Spain have dominated the head-to-head record, winning four of the last five meetings and drawing the other. The sides have not met since 2013. This World Cup Group H fixture is their first competitive meeting at a FIFA World Cup.
| Date | Result |
| 17 June 2013 | Spain 2–1 Uruguay |
| 6 February 2013 | Spain 3–1 Uruguay |
| 17 August 2005 | Spain 2–0 Uruguay |
| 18 January 1995 | Spain 2–2 Uruguay |
| 4 September 1991 | Spain 2–1 Uruguay |
Current form
| Team | Last 5 (inc. WC) |
| Uruguay | D D D D L — 6 games without a win |
| Spain | W D W D D — unbeaten in 12; yet to concede in tournament |
Our prediction
Spain have yet to concede a goal. Their defensive organisation, the technical quality of Pedri, Zubimendi, and Ruiz in midfield, and the attacking threat of Yamal, Oyarzabal, and Torres make them the clear favourites. Four H2H wins from five adds historical weight.
Uruguay carry genuine attacking quality through Valverde and the pace of M. Araujo and Canobbio. The motivation of their football history and the urgency of a must-win situation may produce a better performance than their form suggests. But breaking Spain’s defensive record is a different proposition entirely from drawing with Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde.
Our prediction: Spain to win.
Odds and markets
Odds correct at 0300 hrs UTC on 27/06/2026 and subject to change.
How to bet on SportPesa
- Open the Uruguay vs Spain event page on SportPesa (link above).
- Choose your market — Single Bet (SB), Multi-Bet (MB), or Live Bet (LB) once the match starts.
- Enter your stake and place your bet.
Frequently asked questions
What time does Uruguay vs Spain kick off?
Kick-off is at 00:00 UTC / 03:00 EAT on Saturday, 27 June 2026, at Estadio Akron, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.
Can Uruguay qualify from Group H?
Yes, but only with a win in this match. Uruguay are on two points alongside Cape Verde. A win would take them to five points, which would be enough to finish second in Group H if Cape Verde fail to beat Saudi Arabia simultaneously.
Has Spain conceded a goal at World Cup 2026?
No. Spain are yet to concede a single goal in two World Cup matches, keeping clean sheets against both Cape Verde (0-0) and Saudi Arabia (4-0). Their defensive record is the best in the tournament.
Is Lamine Yamal playing for Spain vs Uruguay?
Yes. Yamal is 17 years old and scored his first World Cup goal in the 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia on Match Day 2. He starts again here on the right wing.
What is the Spain vs Uruguay head-to-head record?
Spain have won four and drawn one of the last five meetings with Uruguay. Their most recent encounter was a 2-1 Spain win in June 2013. This World Cup Group H match is the first time these nations have met in competitive football at a FIFA World Cup.
READ ALSO: Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia Prediction
