Uruguay and Cape Verde meet for the second round of the World Cup 2026 group stage. The match kicks off on Sunday 21 June at 11 PM (BST) at the Hard Rock Stadium, United States.
Both nations will be searching for their first win of the tournament after drawing their opening matches. With no previous head-to-head encounters, our prediction for Uruguay vs. Cape Verde points towards a tight contest as both sides look to gain an advantage in the group.
Find out where to watch the match and what our expert predictions are, as well as the expected lineups for today’s encounter.
Match Overview - Uruguay vs. Cape Verde
- Uruguay aims for their inaugural World Cup 2026 win in this group stage game, having drawn 1-1 against Saudi Arabia.
- Cape Verde also eyes a win, entering the match confidently after a goalless draw with Spain in their opening game.
- As this is the first head-to-head meeting, both nations view this as a crucial step towards the knockout rounds.
Head-to-Head Record
- This will be the first-ever historical meeting between the national teams of Uruguay and Cape Verde.
- Uruguay have recorded four victories, five draws, and one defeat in their last ten international matches.
- Cape Verde enter this match in mild form, having lost three of their last nine fixtures.
- The African side has proven to be defensively solid, keeping six clean sheets in their last ten games.
- For Uruguay, attacker M. Araújo found the back of the net in their opening tournament match.
- Cape Verde’s goalkeeper, Vozinha, was crucial in securing a point against Spain with a clean sheet.
Uruguay Searching for First Tournament Win
Uruguay started their World Cup 2026 campaign with a 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia, which means they need a win in this match. Attacker M. Araújo scored in the opening fixture, highlighting their attacking potential.
The South American team has recently struggled to convert draws into victories, with their last three international games ending in stalemates. These included pre-tournament friendlies against Algeria and England.
It’s so unfortunate that Ronald Araujo won’t play in this game due to a calf injury. De Arrascaeta will also miss the match, while Gimenez’s appearance is questionable. Uruguay will rely on the creativity of midfielders like Valverde and Bentancur. They aim to break down their opponents and secure their first three points in the group stage.
Confident Cape Verde Look to Build on Strong Start
Cape Verde enters this match confidently after a goalless draw with Spain in their World Cup opener. This result highlighted their excellent defensive organisation, as they secured a clean sheet against a tournament favourite. They aim to build on this good start for another positive outcome.
This draw extends a strong run for the African side, with only three losses in their last nine international matches. Their impressive resilience at the back, including six clean sheets, makes them a difficult team to break down.
With a full-strength squad and no injury concerns, except that J. Cabral might miss the encounter, Cape Verde is well-prepared. They will leverage their robust defensive foundation to frustrate their opponents in this encounter.
Uruguay vs. Cape Verde Prediction: A tight and tactical affair
Uruguay needs a win after their opening draw, but recent matches show many stalemates. Given Cape Verde’s defensive style, a tight first half is likely, making a "Draw – Half Time" a good option.
Cape Verde’s resilience, seen in their goalless draw against Spain, proves they are difficult to beat. This strong defence could limit attacking chances, suggesting a match with "Under 9.5 Corners".
Uruguay are favourites, yet their struggle to turn draws into wins against strong defences indicates a close game. Therefore, our main prediction supports the "Uruguay or Draw" market, considering their quality and the visitors’ form.
  | ||
| Best Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Money Line | Draw at halftime | |
| Over/Under | Under 9.5 corners in the match | |
The odds mentioned were collected during the writing of this prediction and may change. Always check with the bookmaker for the latest information.
| ||
| Best Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Money Line | Draw at halftime | |
| Over/Under | Under 9.5 corners in the match | |
Where to Watch Uruguay vs. Cape Verde
Here’s where to watch Uruguay vs. Cape Verde live:
- TV: BBC One (UK), BBC Sport (GBR)
- Streaming: BBC RED Button (GBR), BBC iPlayer (GBR), BBC Radio 5 Live (GBR)
Uruguay vs. Cape Verde Predicted Lineups
As we anticipate this exciting World Cup 2026 championship fixture between Uruguay and Cape Verde, understanding the potential starting XIs for both teams becomes crucial. The predicted Uruguay lineup will likely aim to establish control, while the Cape Verde lineup could be designed to counter their opponent’s tactical strategy. Examining how both sides might take to the field offers important insights into their game plans and potential betting angles ahead of kick-off.
Uruguay
F. Muslera; S. Cáceres, M. Olivera, G. Varela, J. Canabria; R. Bentancur, A. Canobbio, F. Valverde, M. Araújo, N. de la Cruz; F. Vinas.
Manager: Marcelo Bielsa.
Cape Verde
Vozinha; S. Moreira, R. Lopes, D. Borges, S. Lopes Cabral; K. Lenini, W. Semedo, R. Mendes, L. Duarte, J. Monteiro; D.Livramento.
Manager: Bubista.
Match Details
Here are 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 RED Button (GBR), BBC One (UK), BBC Sport (GBR), BBC iPlayer (GBR), BBC Radio 5 Live (GBR)
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