Uruguay vs Cape Verde Prediction | world cup 2026. Uruguay and Cape Verde — both on one point after Match Day 1 draws — meet at Hard Rock Stadium in a vital Group H clash on Tuesday, 23 June 2026 (00:00 SAST (Tuesday, 23 June 2026)). Uruguay drew 1-1 with Saudi Arabia; Cape Verde drew 0-0 with Spain in their World Cup debut. Uruguay are without injured R. Araujo and De Arrascaeta. Our prediction: Uruguay to win or draw. Full analysis, team news, and all markets on SportPesa.
Match details
| Field | Detail |
| Competition | 2026 FIFA World Cup — Group H, Match Day 2 |
| Date & kick-off | Tuesday, 23 June 2026 at 00:00 SAST (Tuesday, 23 June 2026) |
| Venue | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida, USA |
| Group H standings | After Match Day 1: Spain 1pt, Cape Verde 1pt, Saudi Arabia 1pt, Uruguay 1pt — all four sides level |
| Stakes | A win moves either side to the top of Group H. Uruguay’s 2022 group-stage exit adds urgency. |
| Where to watch | DSTV/GOTV |
Bielsa’s depleted Uruguay vs Cape Verde’s rising confidence
Uruguay arrived at the 2026 World Cup carrying genuine expectations of deep tournament progression. Two-time world champions (1930, 1950), an unbeaten qualifying record, and one of South America’s most experienced squads all pointed toward a strong campaign. Their 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia — rescued by Maximiliano Araujo’s 80th-minute goal — was a frustrating result but not a disastrous one. The real concern for Marcelo Bielsa is the absences he must manage here.
Ronald Araujo (Barcelona) and Giorgian De Arrascaeta are both unavailable through injury. Araujo’s absence in central defence is significant; De Arrascaeta’s creative influence in midfield is equally hard to replace. Bielsa is not expected to make any further changes from the Saudi Arabia XI, with Darwin Núñez leading the attack and Federico Viñas behind him. Rodrigo Bentancur and Federico Valverde anchor the midfield. Uruguay have lost only one of their last nine World Cup group stage games — a run of form that speaks to their tournament resilience.
Cape Verde’s 0-0 draw against Spain in their World Cup debut was one of the tournament’s great opening-round stories. Goalkeeper Vozinha produced a man-of-the-match performance to keep out Spain’s passing attack for 90 minutes, earning Cape Verde their first ever World Cup point against one of the world’s top-ranked nations. The confidence and belief from that performance will carry into this match.
Cape Verde’s winger Jovane Cabral was withdrawn during the Spain match with an injury and his fitness is being assessed. If he misses this fixture, it removes their primary wide attacking threat. The squad’s depth is limited outside the starting XI, but their defensive organisation has already demonstrated it can frustrate better-ranked European opposition.
Uruguay have the quality advantage and the greater urgency, but Cape Verde have shown they can defend deep and hold out against superior sides. The tactical contest between Bielsa’s direct, high-energy approach and Cape Verde’s compact defensive block is the defining story of this fixture.
Injuries and availability
| Player | Status |
| Ronald Araujo (Uruguay, Barcelona) | OUT — injury |
| Giorgian De Arrascaeta (Uruguay) | OUT — injury |
| Jovane Cabral (Cape Verde) | Available |
Team news and expected line-ups
Uruguay: Unchanged XI expected from the Saudi Arabia draw, injuries permitting. Núñez leads. Viñas behind him. Bentancur and Valverde in midfield. Araujo (goalscorer vs Saudi Arabia) retained.
Cape Verde: Unchanged XI expected if Cabral passes his fitness test. Vozinha in goal. Compact defensive shape expected again.
Predicted XIs below are based on available team news. Update once confirmed XIs released before kick-off. Confirm Cabral fitness and Uruguay’s defensive cover for R. Araujo.
| Uruguay (4-3-3) | Cape Verde (4-4-2) |
| Rochet (GK) | Vozinha (GK) |
| Cáceres (RB) | P. Mendes (RB) |
| Giménez (CB) | Andrade (CB) |
| Olivera (CB) | Quintã (CB) |
| Vina (LB) | Luis Semedo (LB) |
| Ugarte (DM) | Willy Semedo (DM) |
| Valverde (CM) | Rogério (CM) |
| Bentancur (CM) | Kevên (CM) |
| M. Araujo (RW) | Cabral / sub (RW) |
| Viñas (AM) | Leandro (AM) |
| Núñez (ST) | Garry (ST) |
Key stats
- Uruguay: drew 1-1 with Saudi Arabia in their Group H opener. Maximiliano Araujo scored in the 80th minute.
- Uruguay: two-time World Cup winners (1930, 1950). Failed to reach the knockout round in 2022.
- Uruguay: lost just 1 of their last 9 World Cup group stage games.
- Uruguay form (last 5): D D D L D — five games without a win.
- Uruguay: Ronald Araujo (Barcelona) and Giorgian De Arrascaeta both absent through injury.
- Darwin Núñez (Liverpool): Uruguay’s primary attacking threat.
- Federico Valverde (Real Madrid): key midfield engine for Uruguay.
- Cape Verde: drew 0-0 with Spain in their World Cup debut on 15 June 2026 — a historic first ever World Cup point.
- Cape Verde: goalkeeper Vozinha was man of the match against Spain, making multiple crucial saves.
- Cape Verde: population of half a million — among the smallest nations at the World Cup.
- Cape Verde form (last 5): D W W W L — four-game unbeaten run before the tournament, scoring 7 conceding 1.
- Jovane Cabral (Cape Verde): DOUBT — injury sustained vs Spain. Fitness being assessed.
- H2H: first ever meeting between Uruguay and Cape Verde in any fixture.
- Group H standings (after Match Day 1): Spain 1pt, Cape Verde 1pt, Saudi Arabia 1pt, Uruguay 1pt.
Head-to-head
Uruguay and Cape Verde have never previously met in any fixture — competitive or friendly. This World Cup Group H match is the first ever encounter between the two nations.
Current form
| Team | Last 5 (inc. WC opener) |
| Uruguay | D D D L D — 5 games without a win |
| Cape Verde | D W W W L — unbeaten in last 4 before tournament, 7 goals scored, 1 conceded |
Our prediction
Uruguay’s tactical experience and the individual quality of Núñez, Valverde, and Bentancur make them the analytical favourites. The pressure of needing a result after five games without a win, combined with the class of their remaining fit players, should drive a more decisive performance than the Saudi Arabia draw.
Cape Verde are not merely a passive opponent. Their Spain draw showed defensive capability at the highest level, and Vozinha may again be called upon to deliver a heroic performance between the posts. If Cabral misses this match, their attacking threat is considerably reduced and they will be more dependent on the counter and set-piece moments.
Uruguay’s experience and the motivational factor of avoiding a second consecutive group-stage exit make them the more likely side to take something from this match. A draw remains a genuine possibility given Cape Verde’s defensive organisation, but the balance of probability favours Uruguay avoiding defeat.
Our prediction: Uruguay to win or draw (1X).
Odds and markets
Odds correct at 0000hrs UTC on 22/06/2026.
How to bet on SportPesa
- Open the Uruguay vs Cape Verde 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 Cape Verde kick off?
Kick-off is at 00:00 SAST (Tuesday, 23 June 2026) on Tuesday, 23 June 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida, USA.
What happened in Uruguay’s first match at World Cup 2026?
Uruguay drew 1-1 with Saudi Arabia in their Group H opener. Maximiliano Araujo scored an 80th-minute equaliser to rescue a point for Bielsa’s side after Saudi Arabia had taken the lead.
What happened in Cape Verde’s first match at World Cup 2026?
Cape Verde held Spain to a goalless draw in their World Cup debut on 15 June 2026, earning a historic first ever World Cup point. Goalkeeper Vozinha was outstanding, making several crucial saves to deny the 2010 World Cup champions.
Have Uruguay and Cape Verde ever played before?
No. This World Cup Group H match is the first ever fixture between Uruguay and Cape Verde in any competition.
What group are Uruguay and Cape Verde in at World Cup 2026?
Both sides are in Group H alongside Spain and Saudi Arabia. After Match Day 1, all four teams are level on one point.
Why are Ronald Araujo and De Arrascaeta missing for Uruguay?
Both players are absent through injury. Ronald Araujo (Barcelona) is one of Uruguay’s key central defenders, while Giorgian De Arrascaeta is a significant creative force in midfield. Neither is expected to be available for this match.
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