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Cape Verde could produce another shock when they face Uruguay in their second game of Group H at the World Cup 2026 in Miami on Sunday night.
They held European champions Spain to a 0-0 draw on their World Cup debut, and another positive result here would give them a serious chance of qualifying for the knockouts.
Meanwhile, Uruguay were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw by Saudi Arabia in their opener, and will be aiming to get back on track here.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Uruguay vs. Cape Verde key stats
- Uruguay have lost just once in nine World Cup group-stage games (W6, D2).
- Cape Verde are unbeaten in four matches (W3, D1).
- Uruguay are also unbeaten against African nations at World Cup finals (W4, D1).
Uruguay vs. Cape Verde preview: Sky Blues to beat Blue Sharks?
| Uruguay | vs | Cape Verde |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | FIFA Ranking | 67 |
| Fernando Muslera (135) | Most Caps | Ryan Mendes (99) |
| Giorgian de Arrascaeta, Darwin Nunez (13) | Most Goals | Ryan Mendes (22) |
| 949 | Total Caps | 841 |
| 75 | Total Goals | 75 |
| 0 | Uncapped Players | 0 |
Uruguay will have been disappointed with a draw against a Saudi Arabia side ranked 45 places below them in the FIFA rankings.
With European champions Spain in their final group game, realistically the Sky Blues know they must win here to have the best possible chance of reaching the knockouts.
They have won six of their previous nine World Cup group matches, and four of their five meetings with African nations at World Cup finals, so history is certainly on Uruguay's side.
However, Marcelo Bielsa will have to make do without Ronald Araujo and Giorgian De Arrascaeta again through injury, but they should still possess enough quality to beat Cape Verde.
Spain did too, but a mammoth performance in particular from goalkeeper Vozinha earned Cape Verde their first-ever point at a World Cup finals.
That draw extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to four games, and so the Blue Sharks will be no pushovers here.
Another positive result for Bubista's side could really help their dream of qualifying for the knockouts in their debut World Cup campaign, but Uruguay are ranked 51 places above them.
Jovane Cabral is a doubt after coming off injured against Spain, but aside from that, Cape Verde will be expected to field a similar XI that earned that miraculous point.
Uruguay vs. Cape Verde form guide & betting tips
| Uruguay | vs | Cape Verde |
|---|---|---|
DLDDD |
Form | LWWWD |
| 3 | Goals For | 9 |
| 7 | Goals Against | 5 |
D |
World Cup 2026 | D |
Whispers predicts: Uruguay 2-0 Cape Verde
Uruguay are 10/21 (1.48) favourites to win, but while we agree with the bookies, we want to explore other markets.
Our first pick is BTTS – No at 3/5 (1.60), as only four of Uruguay's last 13 games and three of Cape Verde's previous 14 competitive matches have seen both teams score.
Under 2.5 goals at 17/25 (1.68) could also be worth backing, with an average of just two goals scored in each of Uruguay's last five outings.
Overall, we are predicting a Correct score – 2-0 at 11/2 (6.50), which we feel is a fair reflection on how the match may go.
> BTTS – No at 3/5 (1.60) | Likelihood: Probable
> Under 2.5 goals at 17/25 (1.68) | Likelihood: Probable
> Correct score – 2-0 at 11/2 (6.50) | Likelihood: Outsider