Uruguay and Cabo Verde meet at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on 21 June 2026, with both sides sitting on one point after opening draws and needing a win to put themselves in contention for the knockout rounds. Uruguay drew 1-1 with Saudi Arabia, Cabo Verde held Spain to a goalless result in what was their first ever World Cup match, having topped their CAF qualifying group ahead of Cameroon.
Marcelo Bielsa has managed Uruguay since 2023, running a high intensity 4-3-3 built around pressing and quick transitions. Bubista has been in charge of Cabo Verde since 2020, building a side that sits compact and hits teams on the counter, a setup that took them to the Africa Cup of Nations quarter finals and eventually to this tournament. The two coaches have never faced each other, which probably suits Bubista more than it suits Bielsa, since the absence of prior information is a small advantage for the side that plans to absorb pressure rather than impose it.
Uruguay's form under Bielsa has been uneven, the Saudi draw followed by goalless stalemates against Algeria and England and then a 1-5 friendly defeat to the United States that raised real questions about the defensive structure. Qualifying produced wins over Peru and a draw with Chile but the overall pattern points to a team that can press effectively in bursts and concede when the pressure drops.
Cabo Verde have done the opposite. They have built their entire campaign on clean sheets, the Spain result being the clearest illustration of what they can do. The 3-0 win over Eswatini that sealed their World Cup place shows they can convert when the chance comes but their matches tend to stay low scoring and that is entirely intentional.
Uruguay's injury situation is genuinely problematic, with Ronald Araújo out with a muscle tear, Giorgian de Arrascaeta likely to miss the entire group stage with calf and collarbone problems and José María Giménez carrying an ankle issue that limits what Bielsa can ask of him. The backline will likely include Guillermo Varela and Matías Olivera, which tells its own story about the depth of the problem. Cabo Verde have no concerns and Bubista can field exactly the side he wants.
Uruguay are expected to set up in a 4-3-3 with Fernando Muslera or Sergio Rochet in goal, Rodrigo Bentancur, Manuel Ugarte and Federico Valverde in midfield and Darwin Núñez leading the attack. Cabo Verde are likely to use a 4-2-3-1 or 5-4-1 with Vozinha in goal and Roberto Lopes and Pico Lopes anchoring the defence.
Bielsa will want his side to press high, move the ball quickly through the fullbacks and wide players and create from set pieces but Cabo Verde are built for exactly this kind of game. They will sit deep in a low block, let Uruguay have the ball in front of them and wait. Valverde is the key figure in midfield and his battle against Pina and Duarte will largely determine whether Uruguay can create anything in the final third. If Uruguay cannot find an opening through open play, a set piece is the most likely route to goal.
Uruguay's injury absences make the defensive side of the game a real concern and Cabo Verde are the kind of team that punishes a single lapse. Núñez or a set piece is the most likely source of the first goal but if Uruguay cannot convert from dead balls, a draw is the more likely result. Given what Cabo Verde did to Spain, that is not a remote prospect. Uruguay to win 2-1.
Ryan Baldi
Football Writer
Ryan Baldi is a professional football writer with years of experience and has been featured by respected outlets such as the BBC, The Guardian, Sky Sports, DAZN, FourFourTwo, ESPN, Yahoo Sport and Football365. He has also written several books including Arsène Who?.
