Valverde captains: Uruguay's XI is confirmed

The starting XIs have been confirmed for Uruguay and Cabo Verde in their second 2026 FIFA World Cup Group H match. Both managers' choices are now clear ahead of the game at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, where Uruguay are the favourites for victory.

After a 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia in their opener, Uruguay's Marcelo Bielsa made a notable choice. Fernando Muslera is in goal, with Varela, Cáceres, Olivera and Sanabria in defence. Ugarte and Bentancur sit in midfield; up front, Canobbio and Maxi Araújo line up alongside captain Federico Valverde. At centre-forward, against expectations, Bielsa kept faith in Facundo Viñas over Darwin Núñez, who starts on the bench. Barcelona's Ronald Araújo and Giorgian de Arrascaeta are out for Uruguay with calf injuries.

For Cabo Verde, manager Pedro Leitão Brito (Bubista) largely kept faith in the side that held Spain to a goalless draw in their opener. In goal is 40-year-old Vozinha, who shot to fame overnight; in defence are Moreira, Lopes, Borges and Lopes Cabral. Captain Mendes operates in midfield with Arcanjo, Monteiro, Lenini and Rodrigues, with Benchimol as the lone striker. Buoyed by their historic Spain draw, the Caribbean island side aim to set up a resilient defensive block once again.

Both teams are targeting three points here. For Uruguay, a win would all but secure a last-32 berth, while Cabo Verde are out to repeat their heroics against Spain and pull off another historic result.

Starting XIs
Uruguay (4-2-3-1): Muslera; Varela, Cáceres, Olivera, Sanabria; Ugarte, Bentancur; Canobbio, Valverde, Araújo; Viñas
Cabo Verde (4-1-4-1): Vozinha; Moreira, Lopes, Borges, Lopes Cabral; Mendes; Arcanjo, Monteiro, Lenini, Rodrigues; Benchimol

Image: Yahoo Sports