Uruguay
World Cup 2026 Group H — fixtures, standings, and knockout path
The 2026 spine: Núñez chaos and Valverde's engine
Uruguay's tournament hinges on Darwin Núñez converting chances after a 16-goal Premier League season. Behind him, Federico Valverde covers more ground than any CONMEBOL midfielder — his duel with Netherlands' Frenkie de Jong could decide Group C. Ronald Araújo anchors a backline that conceded just 1.1 goals per game in qualifying, though aging fullbacks Mathías Olivera (27) and Nahitan Nández (28) face pace tests against US wingers.
Group C's revenge subplot
The Netherlands matchup on June 18 in Vancouver replays their 2010 semifinal — Luis Suárez's handball save and Ghana's penalty miss still haunt Dutch fans. Uruguay also face the US in Kansas City, where memories of their 2-1 Copa América loss in 2016 linger. Marcelo Bielsa's high-press system must adapt to artificial turf at BC Place, historically problematic for South American sides.
From Maracanazo ghosts to 2026 ambition
No nation overperforms World Cup expectations like Uruguay — winners in 1930 and 1950, semifinalists in 2010 despite a population under 3.5 million. Their 15 CONMEBOR qualifying goals came from 9 different scorers, showing depth beyond Núñez. But they've won just one knockout game since 2010 (vs Portugal in 2018). Bielsa's 3-4-3 gamble either revives their giant-killing tradition or exposes defensive gaps.
Knockout route: top two qualify automatically; a third-place finish may still advance as one of the eight best third-placed teams. View Group H hub →
Group standings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Cape Verde | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 |  Spain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 |  Saudi Arabia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Uruguay | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Fixtures & results
| Match | Date | Group | Score | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia vs UruguayEstadio Miami | Mon, Jun 15, 2026 · 23:00 ET | h | – | Scheduled |
| Uruguay vs Cape VerdeEstadio Miami | Sun, Jun 21, 2026 · 23:00 ET | h | – | Scheduled |
| Uruguay vs SpainEstadio Guadalajara | Sat, Jun 27, 2026 · 01:00 ET | h | – | Scheduled |
Frequently asked questions
How many World Cups has Uruguay won?+
Two: 1930 (as hosts) and 1950 (defeating Brazil in the Maracanazo).
Who is Uruguay's all-time top World Cup scorer?+
Óscar Míguez with 8 goals across 1950 and 1954. Current striker Darwin Núñez has 0 in 5 tournament appearances.
What stadiums will Uruguay play in during the group stage?+
SoFi Stadium (vs USA), BC Place (vs Netherlands), and Arrowhead Stadium (vs playoff winner).
How did Uruguay qualify for World Cup 2026?+
Finished 3rd in CONMEBOL qualifying with 8 wins, 4 draws, 6 losses — including a 2-0 win over Brazil in October 2023.
Who manages Uruguay in 2026?+
Marcelo Bielsa, appointed in May 2023 after Diego Alonso's departure post-2022 World Cup group stage exit.
What's Uruguay's best World Cup finish since 1950?+
4th place in 2010, losing 3-2 to the Netherlands in a semifinal featuring Diego Forlán's volley and Suárez's handball.