Group H at the FIFA World Cup 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most gripping in the tournament, and the meeting between Uruguay and Cape Verde at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida — kicking off at 6pm local time (11pm UK time) — promises to be a fascinating contest between two sides sitting on a single point each.

Cape Verde earned widespread admiration after holding Spain to a goalless draw in their opening fixture, a result that announced the Blue Sharks as genuine competitors on the World Cup stage for the first time. Uruguay, by contrast, were far from convincing in their own opener, falling behind to Saudi Arabia before battling back to claim a 1-1 draw — a result that left manager Marcelo Bielsa and his staff searching for answers.

Uruguay's attacking woes on show again

The South Americans were laboured and toothless for long stretches against Saudi Arabia, and the inability to create and convert chances has been a recurring concern over the past two years. Bielsa will demand a sharper, more purposeful display in Miami, with Uruguay knowing a defeat here would leave their World Cup hopes in serious jeopardy.

Spain's commanding 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia earlier on Sunday has put them four points clear at the top of Group H, leaving the remaining three sides — Uruguay, Cape Verde, and Saudi Arabia — all on one point. Crucially, that means this match cannot yet eliminate or advance either team, but goal difference will matter. With Saudi Arabia now carrying a heavy negative tally, Uruguay have an added incentive to win big rather than simply grind out a narrow victory.

Cape Verde's resilience the key question

Whether Cape Verde can replicate the defensive discipline they showed against Spain remains the central question. If the Blue Sharks can organise themselves as well as they did in that opener and threaten on the counter-attack, Uruguay could again find themselves in for a long and frustrating evening.

The expectation, however, is that Uruguay's superior quality will ultimately tell. A compact, defensively solid Cape Verde side is unlikely to create enough to seriously threaten, and La Celeste — with pride, progression, and goal difference all at stake — should find a way through.

Score prediction: Uruguay 2-0 Cape Verde.