Uruguay qualified comfortably for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, securing their place with historic victories over regional heavyweights Brazil and Argentina. Manager Marcelo Bielsa, who took charge of the South American side in 2023, has built a team that presses with intensity and defends with conviction, and those attributes were on full display during a qualifying campaign that also included a creditable 1-1 draw against England at Wembley Stadium in March, a match Uruguay arguably deserved to win.
How Bielsa’s Uruguay conquered South America
Under Bielsa, Uruguay has rediscovered the grit and tactical discipline that defined their two previous World Cup triumphs. The wins over Brazil and Argentina — two of the continent’s most decorated sides — underlined the team’s transformation. Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde, who captains the side and recently signed a contract extension until 2029, is the engine of the squad, driving play from midfield and setting the tempo for Bielsa’s high‑energy system. Up front, Liverpool’s Darwin Núñez is expected to lead the line, his pace and direct running a key weapon in the Argentine manager’s approach. Despite an unbeaten run in their last five matches, victories have been scarce; a goalless draw with Algeria preceded the stalemate with England, and the squad’s preparations for the finals have been disrupted by travel chaos. Uruguay’s players were stranded in Mexico due to aircraft clearance issues, delaying their arrival in the United States and cutting into vital preparation time. Injury concerns have also mounted, with defenders Ronald Araújo and José María Giménez, as well as attacker Giorgian de Arrascaeta, all sidelined. Bielsa has defended his medical staff’s protocols amid the fitness doubts.
Saudi Arabia’s threat: the 2022 upset and a new challenge
Uruguay’s opening Group H fixture pits them against a Saudi Arabian side still riding the memory of their stunning 2‑1 victory over eventual champions Argentina on matchday one of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. That result remains a warning to any opponent, and Real Madrid’s Valverde will be determined to avoid a similar upset. Saudi Arabia, managed by Georgios Donis, arrive at the tournament in inconsistent form, with one win, one draw, and three defeats in their last five outings. They secured a 3‑0 victory over Puerto Rico and a goalless draw with Senegal in recent preparations, but suffered consecutive losses to Egypt, Serbia, and Ecuador. The danger comes primarily from Salem Al‑Dawsari, the winger appearing in his third World Cup, who has scored 27 goals in 110 international appearances and remains the key difference‑maker in the final third. The only member of the squad playing outside Saudi Arabia is Lens full‑back Saud Abdulhamid. The two nations have met three times before, with each side winning once and drawing once. Their only competitive encounter came at the 2018 World Cup, where Uruguay triumphed 1‑0 thanks to a goal from Luis Suárez. In competitive fixtures, Uruguay have kept a clean sheet in every meeting.
Suárez omitted despite Inter Miami form
One of the most notable talking points surrounding Bielsa’s final squad is the omission of former Barcelona and Liverpool striker Luis Suárez. Despite a productive goalscoring spell in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami, where he recently signed a contract extension through the 2026 MLS season, Suárez has not made the cut for the World Cup. Bielsa’s decision leaves Uruguay without their all‑time leading scorer and a player who had been a fixture at major tournaments for over a decade. Suárez’s club future remains active during the World Cup period, but his national team involvement for the tournament has been ruled out by the manager.
How to watch and match details
Uruguay face Saudi Arabia at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, on June 15, 2026. Kick-off in the UK is at 11pm BST, with ITV1 broadcasting the match live and free to air. Coverage begins at 10.15pm BST. The match can also be streamed for free on the ITVX app and website. BBC and ITV are sharing the UK broadcasting rights for the tournament, each showing 51 of the 104 matches. Free highlights will be available on FIFA’s official YouTube channel and website, along with the BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website, ITVX app, and ITV website.
