Saudi Arabia-Uruguay: Surprise Expected in Group H

In the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group H match, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay face each other at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. The match is a rematch of the match played at the 2018 Russia World Cup where Uruguay won 1-0 with Luis Suárez's header. Uruguay under Marcelo Bielsa's management, which is the 1930 and 1950 World Cup champion and played the semi-finals in 2010, wants to continue its strong line in history. La Celeste, eliminated in the group stage in Qatar 2022, aims to go further this year. Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, is going to their seventh World Cup participation in their history; they took part in every tournament since 1994 except 2010 and 2014. The Saudi team reached the round of 16 in 1994 but could not pass the group stage in other World Cups. Saudi Arabia is coached by Greek head coach Georgios Donis, who came to office in April after the dismissal of Hervé Renard for the 2026 tournament.

Saudi Arabia Predicted XI (4-4-2)

Goalkeeper: Mohammed Al-Owais
Defence: Nawaf Boushal - Hassan Al-Tambakti - Ali Lajami - Saud Abdulhamid
Midfield: Nasser Al-Dawsari - Mohamed Kanno - Abdullah Al-Khaibari - Ayman Yahya
Forward: Salem Al-Dawsari (C) - Firas Al-Buraikan

Uruguay Predicted XI (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper: Sergio Rochet
Defence: Nahitan Nández - José Giménez - Sebastián Cáceres - Mathías Olivera
Midfield: Federico Valverde - Manuel Ugarte - Rodrigo Bentancur
Attack line: Maximiliano Araújo - Darwin Núñez - Facundo Pellistri

On the Saudi Arabia side, national team captain Salem Al-Dawsari stands out; the experienced player who signed the goal scored against Argentina at the 2022 Qatar World Cup is the team's all-time top scorer. In attack, Firas Al-Buraikan will serve as a centre forward with 16 goals in 72 matches. Goalkeeper Nawaf Al Aqidi is not in the squad in the first match due to a muscle injury; Mohammed Al-Owais will be in goal. On the Uruguay side, Real Madrid's star Federico Valverde is positioned in the centre of midfield. Liverpool's forward Darwin Núñez will serve as the leader of the attacking line. Manchester United's Manuel Ugarte and Tottenham's Rodrigo Bentancur complete the midfield trio next to Valverde. Bielsa's high-tempo pressing system is evaluated as an important advantage against Saudi Arabia under Donis who came to office two months ago. La Celeste's star player Giorgian De Arrascaeta is not in the squad in the first match due to injury.

Image: si.com