Saudi Arabia go head to head with Uruguay in the 2026 World Cup on Monday at 11pm (UK time).
The Green Falcons made their mark on the 2022 finals with a shock defeat of eventual champions Argentina, though they ultimately bowed out in the group stage. Only once in their six previous appearances have they progressed beyond round one, ironically doing so in the USA back in 1994.
Uruguay have already made history by qualifying for a fifth successive World Cup for the first time. The two-time champions – now under the guidance of Marcelo Bielsa – are hoping to avoid a second straight group-stage exit, having fallen at the first hurdle in Qatar four years ago.
This will be the fourth meeting between the sides, with the previous three bringing a win apiece and a draw. They also faced off in the group stage in Russia eight years ago, with Luis Suarez’s goal sealing a 1-0 win for Uruguay.
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Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay team news
Saudi Arabia team news
Georgios Donis, who replaced Herve Renard on the eve of the tournament, has overseen just one match in charge, that being a friendly defeat by Ecuador. Nevertheless, he’s not completely going into the unknown, having taken charge of four different teams in the Saudi Pro League.
Nawaf Al Aqidi will get the nod in goal after impressing during qualifying, while Hassan Kadesh may just pip Abduleah Al Amri to partner Hassan Al Tambakti in the heart of defence. Saud Abdulhamid could start ahead of Ali Majrashi at right-back.
Salem Al Dawsari – the scorer of the winning goal when Saudi shocked eventual champions Argentina four years ago – should operate on the left wing, with Musab Al Juwayr pulling the strings through the centre, and Firas Al Buraikan leading the line ahead of Saleh Al Shehri and Abdullah Al Hamdan.
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Uruguay team news
Sergio Rochet is likely to get the nod in goal ahead of veteran Fernando Muslera, who is the first Uruguayan player to feature in five World Cup squads. The centre-half pairing of Ronald Araujo and captain Jose Maria Gimenez speaks for itself, while Guillermo Varela may just pip Nahitan Nandez to the right-back spot.
Federico Valverde and Manuel Ugarte should anchor the midfield, while Rodrigo Bentancur’s difficult season at Tottenham may just see him miss out. Flamengo’s Giorgian De Arrascaeta will more than likely pull the strings further up the field.
A left-back by trade, Maxi Araujo has been utilised on the left wing by Bielsa, while Facundo Pellestri may be preferred to Agustin Cannobio on the opposite flank, with former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez leading the line.
Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay predicted lineups
Saudi Arabia (4-2-3-1): Al Aqidi; Abdulhamid, Al Tambakti, Kadesh, Boushal; Kanno, N. Al Dawsari; Al Oboud, Al Juwayr, Al Dawsari; Al Buraikan.
Uruguay (4-2-3-1): Rochet; Varela, R. Araujo, Gimenez, Olivera; Valverde, Ugarte; Pellestri, De Arrascaeta, M. Araujo; Nunez.
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