22 June 2026, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami. Uruguay kick off their World Cup campaign in Group H against Cape Verde — a side making their very first appearance on football’s biggest stage. But this is no ordinary Uruguay. Suárez is gone. Cavani is gone. Darwin Nuñez leads the line now, and the post-Suárez era begins here.
Can Uruguay’s new generation hit the ground running? Or can Cape Verde pull off a historic upset in their debut? Everything you need to know before kick-off.
Match info: Uruguay vs Cape Verde
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| UK kick-off time | 22 June 2026, 23:00 BST |
| Local time (Miami) | 21 June 2026, 18:00 ET |
| Venue | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida |
| Group | Group H — FIFA World Cup 2026 |
| Other teams | 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia |
Uruguay team preview: the Nuñez era
Luis Suárez retired from international football in 2024. Edinson Cavani followed. Two legends who defined Uruguayan football for over a decade — gone. In their place: Darwin Nuñez, Liverpool’s explosive centre-forward, ready to prove he can carry this team to the knockout stages.
Key players
Darwin Nuñez (Liverpool, striker): Uruguay’s new focal point. A completely different profile to Suárez — raw pace, aerial dominance and a physicality that makes him a nightmare for defenders. This World Cup is his moment to announce himself on the global stage.
Federico Valverde (Real Madrid, midfielder): The engine of this Uruguay side. Versatile, dynamic and with a long-range shot that defenders at the highest level fear. He’ll be the heartbeat of Uruguay’s game here.
Manuel Ugarte (Manchester United, defensive mid) screens the defence. Rodrigo Bentancur (Tottenham) links play. Giorgian De Arrascaeta (Flamengo) creates between the lines. At the back, Ronald Araújo (Barcelona) and José María Giménez (Atlético Madrid) are as solid a centre-back partnership as you’ll find at this tournament.
Tactical overview
Under Marcelo Bielsa, Uruguay play high-intensity pressing football with rapid vertical transitions. Long balls into Nuñez combined with Valverde’s runs from deep is the principal attacking threat. Against Cape Verde’s deep defensive block, this approach could prove highly effective.
Cape Verde team preview: the African newcomers
Cape Verde are making history just by being here. Their qualification through the African section was built on defensive solidarity and deadly counter-attacking. Don’t expect them to roll over — they’ll be organised, disciplined and waiting for their chance.
Garry Rodrigues (winger) is their biggest threat — pace, dribbling and an eye for goal. Ryan Mendes adds width and creativity. Gilson Tavares provides a presence in the box. At the back, Lisandro Semedo marshals a defence that kept things very tight in qualifying.
The key question is whether Cape Verde can maintain their defensive intensity for 90 minutes against Uruguay’s relentless pressing. If they can get to the 70-minute mark unscathed, they may have a chance on the break.
Head-to-head record
Uruguay and Cape Verde have never met in official competition before. This is a historic first encounter between these two nations. Uruguay are two-time World Cup winners (1930 and 1950) with a rich history in the tournament. Cape Verde arrive as complete newcomers, but have nothing to lose.
Prediction: Uruguay vs Cape Verde
Uruguay are the heavy favourites. The quality gap between the two squads is significant across every position, and Bielsa’s side will be hungry to make a statement in their opening game of the tournament.
| Prediction | Pick | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Match result | Uruguay win | Clear favourites — squad depth and experience far superior |
| Scoreline | 2–0 | Nuñez to open, Valverde or De Arrascaeta to double |
| Total goals | Under 2.5 | Cape Verde will defend deep and make it difficult |
| First goalscorer | Darwin Nuñez | World Cup debut for Uruguay’s new main striker |
⚠️ Disclaimer: These predictions are for informational purposes only. Please gamble responsibly.
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When is Uruguay vs Cape Verde at the 2026 World Cup?
The match kicks off on 22 June 2026 at 23:00 BST (UK time), or 21 June 2026 at 18:00 ET local Miami time. The venue is Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida.
Is Suárez in the Uruguay squad for the 2026 World Cup?
No. Luis Suárez retired from international football in 2024 and is not in Uruguay’s 2026 World Cup squad. Edinson Cavani has also retired from international duty. Darwin Nuñez is the new first-choice striker.
Who will win between Uruguay and Cape Verde?
Uruguay are heavy favourites. Their squad quality across every department is significantly higher than Cape Verde’s. However, Cape Verde have shown they can defend well, so a tighter scoreline than expected is possible.
What is the predicted score for Uruguay vs Cape Verde?
2-0 to Uruguay is the most likely outcome. Darwin Nuñez is expected to open the scoring on his World Cup debut as Uruguay’s main striker.
Is this Cape Verde’s first World Cup?
Yes, 2026 is Cape Verde’s first-ever appearance at a FIFA World Cup. A historic achievement for the island nation, who qualified through the African section with impressive defensive performances.
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