FIFA World Cup 2026 Uruguay: Schedule, How to Watch, History & Record
Marcelo Bielsa walked into the Uruguay job in 2023 with a clear idea: rebuild this team around a younger core and add a tactical edge that had been missing for years. It worked. Uruguay qualified fourth in CONMEBOL with 28 points from 18 matches, beating Brazil and Argentina along the way.
Now they land in Group H alongside Spain, Saudi Arabia, and Cape Verde for their 15th FIFA World Cup appearance.
Uruguay enter the tournament ranked 17th in the world as of April 1, 2026. Bielsa has built a squad that mixes elite club talent with genuine tactical discipline, and the qualifying campaign proved this group can hurt the best teams in South America.
Uruguay World Cup 2026 Schedule (Local Time)
Uruguay runs on Uruguay Standard Time (UYT), which is UTC-3 year-round. The country abolished daylight saving time in 2015, so no clock changes apply in June 2026.
| Date | Opponent | Time (Local / UYT) | Time (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 15, 2026 | Saudi Arabia | 7:00 PM | 6:00 PM | Miami Stadium |
| June 21, 2026 | Cape Verde | 7:00 PM | 6:00 PM | Miami Stadium |
| June 26, 2026 | Spain | 9:00 PM | 8:00 PM | Guadalajara Stadium |
Uruguay play their first two matches at Miami Stadium before heading to Guadalajara Stadium for the Spain decider on June 26. The top two from Group H advance to the Round of 32, and the eight best third-placed teams across all groups also advance.
How to Watch World Cup 2026 Uruguay
DirecTV holds the broadcast rights in Uruguay for all 104 matches. Coverage airs live on DSports and DSports+, available with a DirecTV subscription. All commentary is in Spanish.
DirecTV subscribers can also stream every match through the DGO app on iOS and Android at no extra cost.
FIFA+ streams select matches globally for free at plus.fifa.com with no subscription required.
How to Stream the World Cup 2026 in Uruguay
The DGO app is the primary streaming option for Uruguayan fans, carrying all DirecTV content live and on demand with full Spanish commentary on smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs. FIFA+ is the free option for fans without a DirecTV subscription, though its match selection is limited.
How to Listen to the World Cup 2026 in Uruguay
Radio is deeply embedded in Uruguayan football culture. Several Montevideo stations carry live commentary for major international fixtures, including Radio Monte Carlo (AM 930), Radio Oriental, and Radiodifusión Nacional. Check local listings closer to June for confirmed frequencies and streaming links from each broadcaster.
Uruguay World Cup History & Record
No country carries more history into a World Cup per capita than Uruguay. They won the very first edition in 1930, hosting the tournament and beating Argentina 4-2 in the final. Then in 1950 they delivered one of football’s most iconic upsets, beating host Brazil 2-1 in the final match of the tournament, an event Brazilians still call the Maracanazo. No South American nation outside Brazil has won more than Uruguay’s two titles.
Since 1950 the record has been more uneven, with fourth-place finishes in 1954 and 1970 and a brilliant run to fourth again in 2010 under Diego Forlán. The 2022 group stage exit stung: Uruguay went out on goal difference despite remaining unbeaten, a result that gave Bielsa his mandate to rebuild.
| Year | Round | W | D | L | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1930 | Champions | 4 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 3 |
| 1950 | Champions | 3 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 5 |
| 1954 | 4th place | 3 | 0 | 2 | 16 | 9 |
| 1962 | Group stage | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| 1966 | Quarter-finals | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| 1970 | 4th place | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 1974 | Group stage | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 |
| 1986 | Round of 16 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 |
| 1990 | Round of 16 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| 2002 | Group stage | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| 2010 | 4th place | 3 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 8 |
| 2014 | Round of 16 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| 2018 | Quarter-finals | 4 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 3 |
| 2022 | Group stage | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
Overall all-time record: 25 wins, 13 draws, 21 losses across 59 matches (89 goals for, 76 against).
Uruguay World Cup 2026 Predictions and Analysis
Group H sets up clearly: Spain are the group favourites, but Uruguay are the most likely team to finish second. Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia will need to produce something special to threaten the top two. The June 26 clash with Spain in Guadalajara is the pivotal match. Wins over Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde, combined with even a draw against Spain, should be enough to advance.
Bielsa’s system demands constant pressing and vertical transitions.
Federico Valverde (Real Madrid) drives that press from midfield, covering enormous ground and arriving late into the box with real goal threat.
Manuel Ugarte (Manchester United) provides the defensive cover that frees Valverde to roam. In defence,
Ronald Araújo (Barcelona) and José María Giménez (Atlético Madrid) form a centre-back partnership with genuine big-game experience.
Up front, Darwin Núñez (Al-Hilal) carries Uruguay’s goal threat. He has been frozen out of Al-Hilal’s domestic squad since February 2026 due to foreign-player registration limits, but remains under contract and available for Uruguay. Getting him sharp before June is one of Bielsa’s biggest selection challenges.
Uruguay FIFA World Cup 2026 FAQs
What group is Uruguay in at the 2026 World Cup?
Uruguay are in Group H with Spain, Saudi Arabia, and Cape Verde. Group stage matches run from June 15 to June 26, 2026.
When is Uruguay’s first match at the 2026 World Cup?
Uruguay play Saudi Arabia on June 15 at Miami Stadium, kicking off at 6:00 PM ET (7:00 PM local time in Uruguay). It is an important opener ahead of the Spain decider later in the group.
How did Uruguay qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
Uruguay finished fourth in CONMEBOL qualifying with 28 points from 18 matches (7W-7D-4L). The campaign included wins over both Brazil and Argentina.
Can I watch Uruguay World Cup matches for free?
DirecTV (DSports/DGO) holds broadcast rights in Uruguay and requires a paid subscription. FIFA+ offers select matches for free at plus.fifa.com with no account needed.
Who is Uruguay’s head coach for the 2026 World Cup?
Marcelo Bielsa has managed Uruguay since 2023. He previously coached Argentina and Chile at national level and oversaw a strong CONMEBOL qualifying campaign.
What is Uruguay’s best World Cup result?
Uruguay have won the World Cup twice, in 1930 and 1950. Only Brazil has won more World Cups among South American nations.
Do Uruguayan fans need a visa to attend the 2026 World Cup in the USA?
Yes. Uruguayan citizens must apply for a B-1/B-2 tourist visa before travelling to the United States. Apply as early as possible through the US Embassy in Montevideo.
Who are Uruguay’s key players for the 2026 World Cup?
Federico Valverde (Real Madrid), Manuel Ugarte (Manchester United), Ronald Araújo (Barcelona), José María Giménez (Atlético Madrid), and Darwin Núñez (Al-Hilal) are the standout names. Valverde and Ugarte form a midfield capable of competing with anyone at this tournament.
World Cup 2026 Uruguay brings a revitalised squad under Bielsa, a coach who demands more than just results. If Valverde and Núñez fire together, this team can go further than most expect.
