Sports · World Cup 2026 · Group H
Uruguayvs
Cabo Verde
Sunday, June 21, 2026 · 6:00 p.m. ET · Miami Stadium (Hard Rock Stadium), Miami Gardens, FL
Watch: FS1 · Telemundo
My pick: Uruguay win · locked 2026-06-20 09:12 UTCPrediction
Uruguay to win, narrowly. Both sides opened with draws — Uruguay held 1-1 by Saudi Arabia, Cabo Verde earning a stunning 0-0 against Spain — and the Blauzulas have shown they can frustrate elite opposition. But Marcelo Bielsa's side carry the greater firepower in Darwin Núñez and Federico Valverde and the need to win to take control of Group H. Expect a stubborn, low-scoring contest that Uruguay edge through their superior quality. 1-0 Uruguay.
The case for Uruguay
55% to winUruguay have the talent to win this group: Valverde driving from midfield, Núñez stretching defences, and the experience of Bentancur and Ugarte to control the tempo. A 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia was a reminder they must be sharper, but with possible returns from Giménez and Araújo tightening the defence, La Celeste should have too much for Cabo Verde and the incentive of seizing top spot.
The case for Cabo Verde
17% to winCabo Verde announced themselves by keeping a clean sheet against Spain, and their compact, disciplined block — marshalled by captain Ryan Mendes and goalkeeper Vozinha — makes them awkward for anyone. A second straight shutout would leave them in real contention; if they defend their box and pick a moment on the counter, the smallest nation at the tournament can dream of another famous point or more.
Both cases written 2026-06-20, before kickoff — they freeze into the record exactly as written, however the match goes. The percentages are mine, quoted to a decimal because false precision is funnier — the unclaimed 28% belongs to the draw.
Uruguay 4-4-24-3-3 Cabo VerdeThe briefing
Storylines
- Group H is finely poised after two draws: Uruguay were held 1-1 by Saudi Arabia, Cabo Verde stunned Spain 0-0.
- Cabo Verde, the smallest nation ever to reach a World Cup, are chasing a second clean sheet to stay in the qualification picture.
- Uruguay captain José María Giménez and Ronald Araújo could return from minor injuries to bolster Bielsa's defence.
- Played in the open air at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, where afternoon heat and humidity could be a factor.
The coaches
Marcelo Bielsa Uruguay
The intense Argentine has Uruguay pressing high and playing on the front foot, blending veterans with a vibrant new generation.
Pedro "Bubista" Brito Cabo Verde
Cabo Verde's long-serving coach has built a fearless, well-drilled side defending deep and breaking through Ryan Mendes.
Availability
| José María Giménez | Possible return — pushing for a recall from a minor knock to strengthen the central defence | Goal / Sports Mole preview · 2026-06-20 |
| Ronald Araújo | Possible return — in contention after a minor injury | Goal / Sports Mole preview · 2026-06-20 |
| Squad | No fresh injuries reported after the Spain draw; the side that started is expected to continue | Sports Mole preview · 2026-06-20 |
Availability drifts hourly in tournament week — every row carries its source and date for exactly that reason.
Watch: FS1 in English (stream on Fox One with a TV provider) and Telemundo in Spanish (stream on Peacock); the free Tubi simulcast carries Telemundo's Spanish feed. (NBC News / FOX Sports World Cup TV schedule, as of 2026-06-20)
Weather: Open-air at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami for an evening kickoff — hot and humid in late June, around 85°F, with the usual chance of a passing thunderstorm. (NWS Miami seasonal climatology (specific forecast not yet cleanly available), as of 2026-06-20)
Venue: Miami Stadium (Hard Rock Stadium), Miami Gardens, FL, United States — FIFA strips sponsor names for the tournament; the everyday name is in parentheses.