Uruguay and Cape Verde meet at Miami Stadium on Sunday in a fixture that could define both sides’ World Cup campaigns.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side were held to a 1-1 draw by Saudi Arabia in their opener, a result that flattered neither side. Cape Verde, meanwhile, produced one of the tournament’s most remarkable results, holding European champions Spain to a goalless draw on their World Cup debut. With all four sides in Group H level on one point, this match carries enormous weight for both nations.
Uruguay vs Cape Verde – Match preview and team news
- Date: Sunday, 21 June 2026
- Kick-off: 20:00 BST
- Venue: Miami Stadium, Miami
- Referee: Espen Eskås (Norway)
Uruguay team news
Bielsa faces a selection dilemma in attack following a flat performance against Saudi Arabia. Both Darwin Nunez and Manuel Ugarte struggled to impose themselves and were substituted, though it would be a surprise if either were dropped entirely.
Nunez may start alongside Agustin Canobbio in attack, with Federico Vinas a candidate if Bielsa opts for a change. Ronald Araujo remains a doubt with a muscle injury that kept him out of the opener. Fernando Muslera continues in goal, having become Uruguay’s oldest-ever World Cup player in the Saudi Arabia match.
Cape Verde team news
Cape Verde have no fresh injury concerns and Bubista is expected to name an unchanged side. Vozinha starts again in goal after producing seven saves to keep Spain at bay — a display that instantly made him one of the tournament’s most talked-about figures. Kevin Lenini provides the defensive screening ahead of Roberto Lopes and Diney Borges at centre-back. Dailon Livramento leads the line as the lone striker.
Form
Uruguay
Uruguay were deeply underwhelming against Saudi Arabia, failing to create meaningful open-play opportunities for large portions of the match. They took 27 shots, with ten on target, yet had to wait until the 81st minute for their only goal through Maxi Araujo. Bielsa will demand greater creativity and clinical finishing from a squad that possesses far more quality than their opener suggested.
Cape Verde
Cape Verde’s draw with Spain was nothing short of historic. The tournament’s smallest nation wrote their own World Cup story, holding European champions Spain scoreless behind a heroic display from 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha. They completed just 14 passes in the opposition half yet held firm throughout, and Bubista will ask for a repeat defensive effort against a Uruguayan attack that has yet to find its rhythm.
Predicted ineups
Uruguay possible starting XI: Muslera; Varela, Caceres, Olivera, Sanabria; Valverde, Bentancur, Ugarte, Araujo; Canobbio, Nunez
Cape Verde possible starting XI: Vozinha; Moreira, Borges, Lopes, S. Cabral; Duarte, Lenini, Monteiro; Mendes, Livramento, J. Cabral
How to watch Uruguay vs Cape Verde?
UK viewers can watch the match live and free-to-air on BBC One, with a live stream available via BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.
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