Group H reaches its conclusion at Estadio Guadalajara on Saturday morning, with Spain needing just a point to secure top spot and Uruguay knowing that only a win guarantees their place in the round of 32.
Spain top the group on four points after a 4–0 demolition of Saudi Arabia on matchday two, though a draw will also suffice unless Cape Verde beat Saudi Arabia by five goals or more in the simultaneous fixture. Uruguay sit second on two points, level with Cape Verde on goal difference.
Victory over Spain puts them through automatically; a draw keeps them alive but leaves their fate contingent on the other Group H result. La Celeste are yet to win at this tournament and have never beaten Spain in ten meetings stretching back to 1950. The two-time world champions need to make history to control their own destiny.
Uruguay vs Spain – Match preview and team news
- Date: Saturday, 27 June 2026
- Kick-off: 01:00 BST
- Venue: Estadio Guadalajara
- Referee: Ismail Elfath (USA)
- Last meeting: Spain 2–1 Uruguay, 16 June 2013, FIFA Confederations Cup
Team news
Uruguay
Bielsa is without two significant players for the most important match of Uruguay’s campaign. Ronald Araújo and Giorgian de Arrascaeta both remain sidelined with calf injuries, a blow that strips La Celeste of quality in both defence and creative midfield.
José María Giménez has returned to training and could replace Mathías Olivera in the central defensive partnership alongside Sebastián Cáceres. Darwin Núñez is expected to come back into the XI in place of Federico Viñas, whose performance against Cape Verde was unconvincing. Federico Valverde remains the focal point of everything Uruguay do going forward.
Spain
Luis de la Fuente has a near fully-fit squad available. Pedri carries one yellow card into this fixture and will need to exercise caution, as a second booking would rule him out of the round of 32. That aside, he is expected to start alongside Rodri and Dani Olmo in midfield.
Nico Williams, having made two substitute appearances so far, is pushing for a first start, with Álex Baena the likely casualty. Lamine Yamal continues on the right after his goal against Saudi Arabia, and Mikel Oyarzabal keeps his central attacking role after scoring twice in that game.
Form
Uruguay
Bielsa’s side arrived in North America as the group’s expected second force behind Spain, but two draws have placed them in a precarious position. A 1–1 stalemate against Saudi Arabia was followed by a 2–2 draw with Cape Verde in which a goalkeeper error played a significant role.
Uruguay have fired 44 shots across their two matches, 17 from outside the box, but have lacked the clinical edge required at this level. They have drawn five of their last six internationals and have not won a competitive match since their exit from the 2022 World Cup group stage, which only adds to the weight on this occasion.
Spain
After a goalless stalemate against Cape Verde raised early doubts, Spain’s response was swift and emphatic. They were three goals ahead of Saudi Arabia inside 24 minutes, with Oyarzabal scoring twice and Yamal adding a third in his first World Cup start.
The reigning European champions are unbeaten in 12 matches and have not lost across 90 minutes in over two years. They are one of only four sides not to have conceded at this tournament, and with Yamal and Nico Williams approaching full fitness simultaneously, De la Fuente’s attack is operating as close to its ceiling as at any point in recent memory.
Predicted lineups
Uruguay predicted XI (4-3-3): Muslera; Varela, Cáceres, Olivera, Sanabria; Bentancur, Ugarte, Valverde; Canobbio, Núñez, M. Araújo
Spain predicted XI (4-3-3): Simón; Porro, Cubarsí, Laporte, Cucurella; Olmo, Rodri, Pedri; Yamal, Oyarzabal, Williams
How to watch Uruguay vs Spain?
The match will be broadcast live in the United Kingdom on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, and the BBC Sport website.
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