#14
FIFA Ranking
14
WC Appearances
Winners (2x)
Best Finish
2022
Last World Cup
Road to the 2026 World Cup
Uruguay secured their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup through the South America qualification pathway. As a CONMEBOL representative, they were among 6 teams from their confederation to earn a spot in the expanded 48-team tournament.
Currently ranked #14 in the FIFA World Rankings, Uruguay enters the tournament as a dark horse team with expectations to compete at the highest level. With 14 previous World Cup appearances, they bring valuable tournament experience.
Group H Analysis
Uruguay has been drawn in Group H and will face three opponents in the group stage. Each team plays 3 matches, with the top 2 advancing automatically and 8 best third-place teams also qualifying for the Round of 32.
Group H Opponents
Spain
FIFA Ranking: #8 • Elite opponent
Cape Verde
FIFA Ranking: #68 • Challenging opponent
Saudi Arabia
FIFA Ranking: #56 • Challenging opponent
Group H Fixtures for Uruguay
Match 16
Jun 15, 2026
Saudi Arabia
vs.
Uruguay
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
Match 34
Jun 21, 2026
Uruguay
vs.
Cape Verde
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
Match 57
Jun 26, 2026
Uruguay
vs.
Spain
Estadio Akron, Guadalajara
Tournament Outlook
Realistic Expectations
Qualify from the group stage in the top two positions. A Round of 16 or Quarter-final appearance represents a successful tournament.
Best-Case Scenario
Reach the semi-finals or even the Final with a favorable draw and strong performances. History shows teams in this tier can surprise favorites and make deep runs.
Key Challenges
Consistency across all three group matches and handling pressure in knockout rounds. Must maximize chances against elite teams while avoiding slip-ups versus lower-ranked opponents.
Can Uruguay Win the World Cup?
Uruguay enters as a dark horse candidate — not among the top favorites, but certainly capable of a deep run with the right combination of form, luck, and tactical execution.
World Cup history is filled with teams ranked 11-20 who exceeded expectations and reached semi-finals or even finals. If Uruguay can navigate their group and gain momentum in the knockout stage, they could surprise many observers. A tournament win would require everything to click at the right time, but it's not impossible.
World Cup History
Uruguay has appeared in 14 FIFA World Cup tournaments, demonstrating their status as a regular competitor on the global stage.
Their best result was Winners (2x), cementing their place in football history as World Cup champions.
They last competed in the 2022 World Cup. As recent participants, they bring current tournament experience to 2026.
Multiple World Cup appearances have allowed Uruguay to build experience and learn from both successes and setbacks on football's biggest stage.
Predict Uruguay's Tournament Journey
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Frequently Asked Questions
When does Uruguay play at World Cup 2026?▾
Uruguay will play their first group stage match on June 15, 2026 against Saudi Arabia. All three group stage matches will be completed by late June 2026, with knockout stage dates depending on their final group position.
Who is in Group H with Uruguay?▾
Uruguay has been drawn into Group H alongside Spain, Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia. Each team will play three matches in the group stage, with the top 2 teams automatically advancing to the Round of 32 and the 8 best third-place teams also qualifying.
What is Uruguay's best World Cup finish?▾
Uruguay's best World Cup finish is Winners (2x). They have won the World Cup twice, making them one of the most successful nations in tournament history.
Can Uruguay win the World Cup 2026?▾
Uruguay can compete with any team on their day and could potentially make a deep run if things align. Ranked #14 in FIFA rankings, they're considered a dark horse — not among the top favorites, but capable of surprising people. World Cup history shows teams at this level can reach semi-finals or finals with strong performances and a bit of luck. An outright win would be a remarkable achievement but isn't impossible.