Uruguay makes its much-anticipated entry to the tournament on a hot and potentially wet Monday evening in Miami.
I expect the two-time World Cup winners to triumph in a low-scoring encounter vs a Saudi Arabia side that is 45 places below them in the FIFA rankings.
Read on for my Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia predictions and World Cup picks for June 15, with the kickoff scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at Hard Rock Stadium.
TOP PICK
Who will win Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay: Uruguay -1.5 (+138)
With the enigmatic Marcelo Bielsa as their manager, you cannot be sure exactly what you’ll get from Uruguay. They are -212 favorites to secure victory, and that judgment is fair: a combined Uruguay-Saudi Arabia line-up would have at least nine Uruguayans in it, which tells you how this fixture should play out.
Uruguay will win the game in midfield. Their predicted starting trio - Rodrigo Bentancur (Tottenham Hotspur), Manuel Ugarte (Manchester United), and Federico Valverde (Real Madrid) - will dominate the ball and have the power and drive to launch attacks.
Saudi Arabia will play on the counter-attack. Whether they can do so effectively is open to question: as a right-wing-back, Saud Abdulhamid was outstanding on the break for French Ligue 1 runners-up Lens this season, but he will be compelled to focus on defensive duties as a conventional right-back in Saudi Arabia’s 4-2-3-1.
Such tactical disjointedness may weaken the dog’s chances under manager Georgios Donis, still getting to know his players after being appointed just two months ago.
Bielsa will insist Uruguay chase a big rather than a narrow win. I’m backing his team to triumph by a couple of goals, and would play it up to +115.
Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay Over/Under Pick: Under 2.5 (-117)
For several reasons, a low-scoring encounter is the smart selection.
Fifteen of Uruguay’s last 20 fixtures have featured two goals or fewer, with the average goals-per-game count a measly 1.7 across those matches.
Looking through the Uruguay lineup, it is hard to see where the goals will come from. Star striker Darwin Nunez has spent much of 2026 sitting on the sidelines after falling out of favor at Al-Hilal.
The absence through injury of playmaker Giorgian de Arrascaeta - see below - robs the team not only of their primary creative force in central areas but also of the only player in the squad, other than Nunez, who has hit double figures in national team colors (the duo has 13 goals each).
Saudi Arabia would be overjoyed to draw 0-0, and will play with that objective in mind. Even if they go behind, they will attack intermittently rather than incessantly, as they will fear conceding the second goal that would kill the game.
Thunderstorm stoppages may occur. Should they do so, they would disrupt the game’s rhythm, reducing the likelihood of goals.
I’m backing Under 2.5 Goals, and would play this up to -125.
Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay projected lineup
Saudi Arabia (3-4-2-1): Alowais; Abdulhamid, Alamri, Altambakti, Alharbi; Alkhaibari, Aldawsari; Alshamat, Aljuwayr, Aldawsari; Albrikan
Uruguay (4-3-3): Rochet; Varela, Cáceres, Olivera, Vina; Ugarte, Valverde, Bentancur; Canobbio, Nunez, Araujo
Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay injuries
Saudi Arabia: Al Aqidi GK (Doubtful).
Uruguay: Araujo CB (Out), De Arrascaeta AM (Out), Gimenez CB (Doubtful), Piquierez LB (Doubtful).
Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay weather
The temperature will be 28°C to 30°C (82°F to 86°F). Thunderstorms are forecast, which means the game may be interrupted.
Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay odds
 Saudi Arabia |
 Uruguay |
|
|---|---|---|
| +733 | Moneyline | -212 |
| +376 | Draw | +376 |
| Over 2.5 (+113) | Total | Under 2.5 (-117) |
Odds courtesy of Kalshi.
How to watch Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay
Check out FIFA's official 2026 World Cup website for more information.
| Location | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, FL |
| Date | Monday, June 15, 2026 |
| Time | 6 p.m. ET |
| TV | FS1 |
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
