Uruguay vs Cape Verde Preview
Uruguay are on a long winless run and have struggled for goals recently. Cape Verde will be confident after holding Spain and the Blue Sharks can win or draw at the 2026 World Cup.
Cape Verde Unbeaten in 4
- Uruguay are winless in 5 consecutive matches.
- Cape Verde are unbeaten in their last 4 games.
H2H - First Encounter
This will be the first-ever meeting between Uruguay and Cape Verde.
Uruguay Lacking a Serious Threat
Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay are out of form and have failed to win in their last five matches. The South American side have scored just three goals during that spell.
The Sky Blues saw back-to-back draws in their final two World Cup warm-up games. They drew 1-1 against England and 0-0 with Algeria, attempting just two total shots on target in those matches.
Bielsa’s outfit came back from 1-0 down and held Saudi Arabia to a 1-1 stalemate in their World Cup opener. Uruguay trailed at half time and Maximiliano Araujo levelled with 10 minutes remaining.
Cape Verde a Surprise Package at the World Cup
Cape Verde are in strong recent form after winning and drawing two of their last four matches in all competitions.
Bubista’s side started that unbeaten run with a 1-1 FIFA Series draw against Finland. The Blue Sharks followed that stalemate with commanding 3-0 wins against Serbia and Bermuda.
The Atlantic island team stunned European champions Spain in Group H following a 0-0 draw. Cape Verde had just six shots, one and target and held out to secure their first-ever World Cup point.
Predicted Starting Lineups & Team News
Uruguay (4-2-3-1):Fernando Muslera; Guillermo Varela, Sebastian Caceres, Mathias Olivera, Matias Vina; Manuel Ugarte, Rodrigo Bentancur; Federico Valverde, Federico Vinas, Maximiliano Araujo; Darwin Nunez
Midfielder Giorgian de Arrascaeta and defender Ronald Araujo are unlikely to feature due to injury.
Defender Jose Gimenez missed Uruguay’s opening game against Saudi Arabia following an ankle problem.
Marcelo Bielsa confirmed the player has since recovered and said, "Gimenez had an ankle problem and joined training a week later because the people who monitored his entire recovery are used to working with him and he trusts them a lot.
"Finally, he's been with us for 15 days now and he has healed."
Cape Verde (4-1-4-1): Vozinha; Steven Moreira, Roberto Lopes, Diney Borges, Sidny Lopes Cabral; Kevin Lenini; Ryan Mendes, Laros Duarte, Jamiro Monteiro, Jovane Cabral; Dailon Livramento
Cape Verde have no injuries or suspensions.
First-choice goalkeeper Vozinha made seven saves and prevented 1.45 XG in the Spain draw on Monday.