Uruguay and Cape Verde meet in the second round of the World Cup 2026 group stage. The match takes place this Sunday, 21 June, at 11 PM (BST) at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Both teams head into this fixture after drawing their opening games. While Uruguay were held to a 1-1 draw by Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde managed a surprising 0-0 result against Spain. Our Uruguay vs. Cape Verde prediction points to a decisive match for both sides" qualification hopes.
Find out where to watch the match and what our experts are predicting, as well as the probable line-ups expected for today"s encounter.
Uruguay vs. Cape Verde - Head-to-head record
History is set to be made in Miami as Uruguay and Cape Verde face each other for the very first time. This inaugural meeting takes place on the biggest stage of all, the World Cup. The setting adds an extra layer of excitement to this group stage clash.
In this first-ever Uruguay vs. Cape Verde match, Uruguay brings a rich footballing heritage to the field. In contrast, Cape Verde are debutants who have already caused a major shock by holding Spain to a draw.
Uruguay - Seeking their first win
Uruguay started their World Cup campaign with a hard-fought draw against Saudi Arabia and now face Cape Verde in a crucial match. In the following sections, we will take a closer look at their current form and recent performances. We will also analyse their tactical approach and the probable Uruguay vs. Cape Verde line-ups for this important game.
Recent form
Uruguay started their World Cup campaign with a frustrating 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia. They dominated the match, registering 28 shots on goal, and needed a late equaliser from attacker Maxi Araújo to secure a point. This result places pressure on the South American team to win their second group game.
Looking at their form leading up to the tournament, inconsistency has been a recurring theme for Marcelo Bielsa’s team. Across their last 21 matches, combining World Cup qualifiers and friendlies, Uruguay have managed only six wins while drawing 11 times. This pattern highlights a difficulty in turning control of games into victories, a trend that continued in their opening fixture.
Injury data shows the absence of R. Araujo and de Arrascaeta, while it’s still unknown whether Gimenez can play. The team will be looking to key players, such as midfielder Federico Valverde, to find a more clinical edge in front of goal.
Results of the last five matches
Probable line-up for Uruguay
F. Muslera; J. Canabria, G. Varela, M. Olivera, S. Cáceres; N. de la Cruz, M. Araújo, A. Canobbio, F. Valverde, R. Bentancur; F. Vinas.
Manager: Marcelo Bielsa.
Cape Verde - Confident after historic draw
Let’s review Cape Verde’s current situation. We will analyse the team’s momentum, their expectations and standout players for the clash against Uruguay.
Recent form
Cape Verde pulled off a major World Cup surprise, holding Spain to a goalless draw. Their defence was outstanding, frustrating the reigning European champions throughout the match. Veteran goalkeeper Vozinha, 40, was the standout player, making vital saves to secure a historic point for his team.
This resilient display highlights their recent defensive solidity, with four clean sheets in their last seven matches across all competitions. While their overall record of nine wins, four draws, and eight losses in 21 games points to a need for more attacking prowess, their organised approach is notable for a team at this level.
Entering their second group game, Cape Verde will have boosted confidence. With only one player potentially missing the match (J. Cabral), they can field the same disciplined side that stifled Spain. Their strong defensive unit will severely test Uruguay, who appeared to lack a clinical edge in their opening fixture, setting up an intriguing encounter.
Results of the last five matches
Probable line-up for Cape Verde
Vozinha; S. Lopes Cabral, D. Borges, R. Lopes, S. Moreira; J. Monteiro, R. Mendes, W. Semedo, L. Duarte, K. Lenini; D.Livramento.
Manager: Bubista.
Uruguay vs. Cape Verde - Stats
- Uruguay have drawn five of their last ten international matches.
- Cape Verde have kept five clean sheets in their last nine games.
- The South Americans have scored in seven of their last ten matches across all competitions.
- Uruguay: Maxi Araújo is the only player to get on the scoresheet for the team in the tournament so far.
- Cape Verde: Goalkeeper Vozinha was the standout performer in the 0-0 draw against Spain, making several key saves.
Predictions for Uruguay vs. Cape Verde - Uruguay to win
Uruguay are expected to control the match after their frustrating draw, but they face a solid Cape Verde defence. The African side"s resilience against Spain could see the game level at the break, making a “Draw at Half-Time" an interesting option.
Cape Verde proved their defensive strength by holding Spain scoreless, so a high-scoring game seems unlikely. This points towards a tight affair, where the “Uruguay or Draw and Under 2.5 goals" market could be a sensible consideration for the match.
While Cape Verde"s spirit is commendable, Uruguay"s need for a victory and superior quality should be the deciding factors. Our main prediction is for Uruguay to win the match and get their World Cup campaign properly underway with three points.
| Uruguay x Cape Verde | ||
| Tip | Tip | Best Odd |
| Money Line | Draw at Half-Time | 2.20 at BetMGM |
| Double Chance & Over/Under | Uruguay or Draw and Under 2.5 goals | at BetMGM |
The odds mentioned were collected at the time of writing this prediction and are subject to change. Always check the bookmaker"s site for up-to-date information.
Best markets to bet on Uruguay vs. Cape Verde
Discover more betting tips for Uruguay vs. Cape Verde here.
🔥 Asian Handicap: Cape Verde +1.5 - 0.00 at BetMGM
Cape Verde displayed strong defending against Spain, suggesting they will avoid a heavy loss. While Uruguay is expected to win, a narrow victory makes this an appealing market.
🔥 Double Chance & Total Goals: Uruguay or Draw & Under 3.5 - 0.00 at BetMGM
This market covers an Uruguay win or a draw, combined with fewer than 2.5 total goals. Considering the African team"s defensive strength, this outcome offers good value for bets on Uruguay vs. Cape Verde.
Where to watch Uruguay vs. Cape Verde?
Here is where to watch Uruguay vs. Cape Verde live:
- TV: BBC One (UK), BBC Sport (GBR)
- Streaming: BBC iPlayer (GBR), BBC Radio 5 Live (GBR), BBC RED Button (GBR)
Uruguay vs. Cape Verde - Match details
Check out the match details:
- Match: Uruguay vs. Cape Verde
- Competition: World Cup 2026
- Date: 21/06/2026
- Kick-off: 11 PM (BST)
- Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, United States
- Broadcast: BBC iPlayer (GBR),
- BBC One (UK), BBC Sport (GBR), BBC Radio 5 Live (GBR), BBC RED Button (GBR)
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