Overview
Spain will enter the final match of Group H of the 2026 World Cup with the goal of winning the top spot when facing Uruguay. They started with a 0-0 draw against Cabo Verde and then exploded with a 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia.
Coach Luis de la Fuente's team currently leads Group H with 4 points, 2 points more than Uruguay and Cabo Verde. Just defeating Uruguay, La Roja will definitely win a ticket to the round of 16 as the top of the group. Even a draw is enough for Spain to advance, unless Cabo Verde wins against Saudi Arabia with a difference of 5 goals or more.
Although they can still finish second in the group if they lose to Uruguay and Cabo Verde does not win, Spain certainly wants to decide their own fate with a victory. History is also supporting La Roja when they are unbeaten in 10 encounters with Uruguay in all competitions (5 wins, 5 draws), including draws at the 1950 and 1990 World Cups.
The two teams have not met since the 2013 Confederations Cup, when Spain won 2-1. Uruguay is also currently experiencing a three-match losing streak against La Roja.
On the Uruguay side, coach Marcelo Bielsa's team only has 2 points after two consecutive draws against Saudi Arabia (1-1) and Cabo Verde (2-2), making the race for a ticket to the next round still very tense.
Uruguay will win the top spot if they defeat Spain and Cabo Verde does not win against Saudi Arabia. However, they can also finish the group stage in second, third or even eliminated depending on the result of the remaining match.
The team that has twice won the World Cup (1930, 1950) is determined to avoid repeating the scenario of being eliminated right from the group stage like at the 2022 World Cup.
Personnel situation
Uruguay will not have the services of Ronald Araujo and Giorgian de Arrascaeta in the match against Spain because both have not yet recovered from calf injuries. Apart from these two cases, Bielsa will not suffer any further losses in force.
The South American team is likely to have a notable adjustment in attack when Darwin Nunez is given the opportunity to start instead of Federico Vinas in the center forward position.
Agustin Canobbio and Maxi Araujo both impressed in the 2-2 draw with Cabo Verde, so this duo is expected to continue to be present on both wings, supporting Nunez in attack.
On the Spanish side, Victor Munoz is likely still unable to return due to injury. Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal is predicted to continue to start after his outstanding performance against Saudi Arabia.
Nico Williams, who only came on as a substitute in the first two matches, may be given the opportunity to start from the beginning by Luis de la Fuente in the match against Uruguay.
La Roja's midfield is likely to still be led by Dani Olmo after a convincing performance in the previous match. The Barcelona midfielder is expected to continue to keep a starting spot instead of Fabian Ruiz, while Alex Baena may have to give way to Nico Williams.
Expected lineup:
Uruguay: Muslera, Varela, Gimenez, Caceres, Olivera, Bentancur, Ugarte, Valverde, Canobbio, Nunez, Araujo.
Spain: Simon, Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella, Pedri, Rodri, Olmo, Yamal, Oyarzabal, N. Williams.
The match between Uruguay and Spain takes place at 7:00 am on June 27 (Vietnam time).
