Uruguay face Cabo Verde in a pivotal Football World Cup Group H clash on Sunday, June 21, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, with both sides entering the fixture on a single point after dramatic opening draws.
This blog covers how to watch Uruguay vs Cabo Verde live, team news, squad lists, kick-off times, broadcaster information, and a full tactical preview.
Key Details
- Date: Sunday, June 21, 2026
- Kick-off Time: 6:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 p.m. BST / Monday June 22 at 3:30 a.m. IST / Monday June 22 at 8:00 a.m. AEST
- Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida, USA
- Where to Watch: Fox Sports / FS1 (USA) | BBC One / BBC iPlayer (UK) | ITV / ITVX (UK) | SBS (Australia) | Zee5 (India)
Where to Watch Uruguay vs. Cabo Verde Football World Cup Match?
Uruguay vs Cabo Verde is broadcast live in the UK on both BBC One and ITV, with free streaming available via BBC iPlayer and ITVX respectively. In the United States, the match airs on Fox Sports with Spanish-language coverage on Telemundo. Australian viewers can watch free on SBS, while fans in India can stream via Zee5.
BBC iPlayer and ITVX are free to use for UK viewers with a valid TV licence. Fox Sports and FS1 in the US require a cable subscription or a streaming bundle such as YouTube TV, Hulu Live TV, or Fubo.
How to Watch Uruguay vs. Cabo Verde with a VPN
If the match is not available in your region, a VPN gives you free access to BBC iPlayer, which carries live coverage of Uruguay vs Cabo Verde at no cost.
BBC iPlayer is geolocked to the United Kingdom. Connecting via a UK server gives you a British IP address that lets you access the stream from anywhere in the world.
Follow these steps:
- Sign up for PureVPN and install the app on your device.
- Connect to a UK server to obtain a British IP address.
- Visit BBC iPlayer and sign in or create a free account.
- Search for Uruguay vs Cabo Verde and start streaming live.
Please note: always check PureVPN’s terms of service and the broadcaster’s terms before streaming via VPN.
Uruguay vs. Cabo Verde Football World Cup Team News
Uruguay Team News
Marcelo Bielsa took charge of Uruguay in May 2023, arriving with a reputation built across decades managing Newell’s Old Boys, Athletic Club, Leeds United, Argentina, and Chile. This is his first World Cup as Uruguay head coach, and he reached the Round of 16 with Chile at the 2010 tournament.
Bielsa named a squad that combined veteran leadership with an ambitious tactical reset. Most notably, Luis Suarez was omitted, ending an unbroken run dating back to 2010. Fernando Muslera came out of international retirement at the age of 39 to pursue a fifth World Cup, making him the record-holder for Uruguay appearances at the tournament. José María Giménez captains the side.
In the opening game against Saudi Arabia on June 15, Uruguay struggled to convert their dominance into goals, taking 27 shots with ten on target before Maxi Araujo’s 80th minute equaliser rescued a 1-1 draw. Darwin Nunez was substituted at half-time, raising questions about his place in the starting line-up against Cabo Verde.
Cabo Verde Team News
Pedro Leitão Brito, known throughout football as Bubista, has been the architect of Cape Verde’s historic qualification. Named CAF Coach of the Year in 2025, Bubista deployed a 4-2-3-1 system throughout qualifying that blended high pressing with defensive resilience. He is a former national team captain with 28 caps, and took the head coaching role in 2020 after serving as assistant.
Cabo Verde topped CAF Group D ahead of African powerhouse Cameroon, going on a run of five straight victories and sealing qualification with a 3-0 win over Eswatini. Their squad is built largely from the diaspora, with seven players from Portuguese clubs.
In their World Cup debut on June 15, Cabo Verde held European champions Spain to a 0-0 draw in Atlanta. Goalkeeper Vozinha, aged 40 and the oldest player in the squad, was the standout performer and saw his Instagram following rise from 46,000 to five million overnight. Captain Ryan Mendes led the line with characteristic energy, and the team showed the defensive organisation that carried them through qualifying.
Uruguay World Cup Squad
- Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera, Sergio Rochet, Santiago Mele
- Defenders: José María Giménez, Ronald Araujo, Santiago Bueno, Guillermo Varela, Mathías Olivera, Sebastián Cáceres, Matías Viña, Joaquín Piquerez
- Midfielders: Federico Valverde, Manuel Ugarte, Rodrigo Bentancur, Giorgian de Arrascaeta, Nicolás de la Cruz, Emiliano Martínez, Facundo Pellistri, Agustín Canobbio, Brian Rodríguez, Maximiliano Araujo, Juan Manuel Sanabria
- Forwards: Darwin Núñez, Federico Viñas, Agustín Aguirre
Cabo Verde World Cup Squad
- Goalkeepers: Vozinha, Diney Borges, Sidny Cabral
- Defenders: Roberto Lopes, Logan Costa, Ianique Stopira Tavares, Steven Moreira, Wagner Pina, Joao Paulo Fernandes, Kelvin Pires
- Midfielders: Jamiro Monteiro, Garry Rodrigues, Laros Duarte, Deroy Duarte, Telmo Arcanjo, Kevin Pina, Yannick Semedo
- Forwards: Ryan Mendes, Dailon Livramento, Jovane Cabral, Gilson Benchimol, Nuno da Costa, Willy Semedo, Helio Varela
Uruguay vs. Cabo Verde Match Preview
This is a Matchday 2 Group H fixture at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, the same venue where Uruguay were held by Saudi Arabia six days earlier. With all four teams tied on one point, every result between now and the final group game carries enormous weight.
Uruguay enter as clear favourites, ranked 16th in the world and backed by a squad containing players from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, Napoli and Tottenham Hotspur. But their performance against Saudi Arabia raised questions about clinical finishing and the effectiveness of Bielsa’s system against a disciplined defensive block. Cabo Verde are not a team that will open the game up voluntarily.
The Blue Sharks showed against Spain that they can withstand elite attacking pressure across 90 minutes. Their defensive shape under Bubista is compact and organised, with the midfield block cutting off passing lanes and the centre-backs remaining disciplined in one-on-one duels. Goal threat comes primarily on the counterattack through Ryan Mendes and Dailon Livramento.
Tactical Outlook
Bielsa is expected to set Uruguay up in a high-pressing 4-3-3, pushing the wide midfielders forward to create overloads. Federico Valverde will be the central engine, covering ground in both directions, while Manuel Ugarte and Rodrigo Bentancur provide the defensive screen that allows the attack to commit forward.
Cabo Verde will almost certainly deploy Bubista’s preferred 4-2-3-1 or a deep-sitting 4-4-2 defensive block, sitting compact and looking to win the ball and transition quickly. The key matchup is Cabo Verde’s defensive midfielder pair against Valverde and the Uruguayan press. If the Blue Sharks can absorb pressure and find Mendes or Livramento in behind Uruguay’s high defensive line, they have a genuine chance to score.
Uruguay need patience, variety in attack, and a clinical edge they did not show against Saudi Arabia. Cabo Verde need exactly what they delivered against Spain: discipline, organisation, and a goalkeeper performance for the ages from Vozinha.
Football World Cup Match Schedule
| Date | Day | Match |
|---|---|---|
| June 19 | Friday | USA vs Australia |
| June 19 | Friday | Scotland vs Morocco |
| June 20 | Saturday | Brazil vs Haiti |
| June 20 | Saturday | Germany vs Ivory Coast |
| June 21 | Sunday | Spain vs Saudi Arabia |
| June 21 | Sunday | Uruguay vs Cabo Verde |
| June 21 | Sunday | Belgium vs Iran |
| June 21 | Sunday | New Zealand vs Egypt |
| June 22 | Monday | Argentina vs Austria |
| June 22 | Monday | France vs Iraq |
| June 22 | Monday | Norway vs Senegal |
| June 23 | Tuesday | Portugal vs Uzbekistan |
2026 Football World Cup Preview
This year’s 2026 Football World Cup is shaping up to be the most ambitious and expansive edition of football’s grandest stage. The 23rd edition of the tournament will be held from June 11 to July 19, jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
For the first time ever, three nations are co-hosting the World Cup; a milestone that reflects both the scale of the event and the growing global footprint of the beautiful game.
2026 Football World Cup Format Explained: 48 Nations, 104 Matches
An expanded World Cup will feature 48 teams, 16 more than in Qatar 2022, and take place across three host nations for the first time. This expansion fundamentally changes the tournament’s structure.
The competition now consists of 12 groups of four teams, with each team playing three matches in their respective groups. The top two teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams across the tournament will advance to the knockout Round of 32.
With 32 teams advancing, the knockout stage now includes a Round of 32, a Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final, meaning there will be 104 matches in total, 40 more than in Qatar. As a result, this World Cup will last 39 days instead of the roughly 32 days of previous tournaments.
16 Host Cities Across 3 Nations in 2026 Football World Cup
There will be 16 host cities in total, with 11 in the United States, three in Mexico, and two in Canada.
The cities where these games will take place include Toronto and Vancouver in Canada; Monterrey, Mexico City, and Guadalajara in Mexico; and San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, and New York/New Jersey in the United States.
The opening match is especially historic. The tournament kicks off at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where Mexico will face South Africa, making it one of the most iconic venues in World Cup history, and the first stadium to host games at three different men’s World Cups.
The final is set for an equally iconic setting. The final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which has been rebranded as New York New Jersey Stadium for the event.
The Stars to Watch in 2026 Football World Cup
The 2026 Football World Cup features a massive mix of established superstars and next-generation talent. Here are the names central to the tournament conversation:
Established Legends
- Lionel Messi — Argentina’s captain, widely expected to play his final World Cup
- Cristiano Ronaldo — Portugal’s all-time icon, also likely bowing out on the biggest stage
Elite Europeans
- Kylian Mbappé — France’s generational superstar and title favourite
- Erling Haaland — Norway’s goal machine making his World Cup debut
- Jude Bellingham — England’s midfield engine and creative force
- Jamal Musiala — Germany’s technically gifted young star
- Lamine Yamal — Spain’s teenage sensation
- Harry Kane — England’s all-time top scorer hunting major honours
South American Powerhouses
- Vinícius Júnior — Brazil’s electric winger and Ballon d’Or contender
- Federico Valverde — Uruguay’s tireless and technically brilliant midfielder
North American Heroes
- Alphonso Davies — Canada’s captain and fan favourite on home soil
- Christian Pulisic — The face of US soccer playing in front of a home crowd
African Star
- Mohamed Salah — Egypt’s legendary forward bringing vast club experience to the global stage
For Messi and Ronaldo, this will likely be their final World Cups, giving the tournament an unmistakably emotional dimension as two of the greatest players in football history bow out on the grandest stage.
2026 Football World Cup Host Stadiums
| Stadium Name | Host City | Location | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Stadium | Toronto | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | 45,000 |
| BC Place Vancouver | Vancouver | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | 54,000 |
| Estadio Azteca | Mexico City | Mexico City, Mexico | 83,000 |
| Estadio Guadalajara | Guadalajara | Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico | 48,000 |
| Estadio Monterrey | Monterrey | Guadalupe, Nuevo León, Mexico | 53,500 |
| Atlanta Stadium | Atlanta | Atlanta, Georgia, USA | 75,000 |
| Boston Stadium | Boston | Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA | 65,000 |
| Dallas Stadium | Dallas | Arlington, Texas, USA | 94,000 |
| NRG Stadium | Houston | Houston, Texas, USA | 72,000 |
| Kansas City Stadium | Kansas City | Kansas City, Missouri, USA | 73,000 |
| Los Angeles Stadium | Los Angeles | Inglewood, California, USA | 70,000 |
| Miami Stadium | Miami | Miami Gardens, Florida, USA | 65,000 |
| MetLife Stadium | New York/New Jersey | East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA | 82,500 |
| Philadelphia Stadium | Philadelphia | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA | 69,000 |
| San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (Levi’s Stadium) | San Francisco Bay Area | Santa Clara, California, USA | 71,000 |
| Seattle Stadium | Seattle | Seattle, Washington, USA | 69,000 |
Prize Money and Commercial Scale for 2026 Football World Cup
The prize money for this World Cup was confirmed at a official meeting in Doha. The prize fund is up 50 per cent on that of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and each team also receives $1.5m to cover preparation costs, meaning every team is guaranteed at least $10.5m.
The United States last hosted the men’s World Cup in 1994, and that tournament still holds the record as the most attended World Cup with 3.6 million fans. But that record will certainly be shattered in 2026 with fans entering turnstiles in three countries.
2026 Football World Cup official broadcasters
Here’s a list of the official broadcasters for the 2026 Football World Cup Qatar in different countries across the world.
| Country/Region | Broadcaster(s) |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | ATN |
| Albania | TV Klan |
| Algeria | ENTV |
| Andorra | RTVE, M6, Mediapro/DAZN |
| Angola | Z Sports |
| Argentina | Telefe, TV Pública, TyC Sports |
| Armenia | Fast Sports |
| Aruba | Telearuba |
| Australia | SBS |
| Austria | ORF, ServusTV, Magenta Sport |
| Azerbaijan | İTV |
| Bangladesh | TBA |
| Belize | Nexgen |
| Belgium | VRT, RTBF |
| Bolivia | Red Uno, Unitel, Entel, Tigo Sports |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Arena Sport |
| Brazil | Grupo Globo, CazéTV, SBT/N Sports |
| Brunei | TBA |
| Bulgaria | BNT |
| Cambodia | Hang Meas |
| Canada | Bell Media |
| Caribbean | Rush Sports |
| Chile | Chilevisión |
| China | CCTV, Migu, Xiaohongshu |
| Colombia | Caracol, RCN, Win Sports |
| Costa Rica | Teletica, Tigo Sports |
| Croatia | HRT |
| Curaçao | Nos Pais Television |
| Cyprus | Sigma TV |
| Czechia | ČT, TV Nova |
| Denmark | DR, TV2 |
| Dominican Republic | CDN 37, Pio Deportes |
| Ecuador | Teleamazonas |
| El Salvador | TCS, Tigo Sports |
| Estonia | TV3 Estonia, ERR |
| Ethiopia | Hagerie TV |
| Fiji | FBC |
| Finland | Yle, MTV3 |
| France (Metropolitan) | M6, beIN Sports |
| France (Ultramarine) | Antenne Réunion, La 1ère |
| Georgia | Setanta Sports, Rustavi 2 |
| Germany | ARD, ZDF, Magenta Sport |
| Ghana | ChannelOne TV |
| Greece | ERT |
| Guatemala | Albavisión, Tigo Sports |
| Haiti | TNH |
| Honduras | Televicentro, Tigo Sports |
| Hong Kong | PCCW |
| Hungary | MTVA |
| Iceland | RÚV |
| India | Unite8 Sports (Zee) |
| Indonesia | TVRI, FolaPlay, Telkomsel |
| Ireland | RTÉ |
| Israel | KAN, Charlton |
| Italy | RAI, DAZN |
| Ivory Coast | RTI, NCI |
| Jamaica | TVJ |
| Japan | NHK, Nippon TV, Fuji TV, DAZN |
| Kazakhstan | QAZTRK |
| Kenya | Azam TV |
| Kosovo | RTK, TV Vala, Arena Sport |
| Kyrgyzstan | KTRK, Beeline Ukmush TV |
| Laos | TBA |
| Latvia | TV3 Latvia |
| Liechtenstein | SRG SSR |
| Lithuania | TV3 Lithuania |
| Luxembourg | RTBF, M6, ARD, ZDF |
| Macau | TDM |
| Malawi | Azam TV |
| Malaysia | RTM, Unifi TV |
| Maldives | ICE Networks |
| Malta | Television Malta |
| Mauritius | MBC |
| Mexico | TelevisaUnivision, TV Azteca |
| MENA | beIN Sports |
| Mongolia | EduTV, National Television, Suld TV, MNB, Mobihome VOO |
| Montenegro | RTCG, Arena Sport |
| Morocco | SNRT |
| Mozambique | Miramar, Z Sports |
| Myanmar | TBA |
| Nepal | Himalaya Sports, Dgo |
| Netherlands | NOS |
| New Zealand | TVNZ |
| Nicaragua | Grupo Ratensa, Tigo Sports |
| North Macedonia | Arena Sport |
| Norway | NRK, TV2 |
| Pakistan | PTV Sports, Tapmad |
| Panama | RPC/COS, TVN Media, Tigo Sports |
| Paraguay | Trece, GEN TV |
| Peru | América Televisión |
| Philippines | Aleph Arena, TAP DMV, Cignal PPV |
| Poland | TVP |
| Portugal | Sport TV, RTP, SIC, TVI, LiveModeTV |
| Romania | Antena |
| Russia | Match TV |
| Rwanda | Azam TV |
| Saint Lucia | Winners Sports TV |
| San Marino | RAI, DAZN |
| Senegal | RTS |
| Serbia | PTC, Arena Sport |
| Singapore | Mediacorp |
| Slovakia | RTVS, TV JOJ |
| Slovenia | RTV SLO, Arena Sport |
| South Africa | SABC, SportyTV |
| South America | DSports, Disney+ |
| South Korea | JTBC, KBS, NAVER Sports, CHZZK |
| Spain | RTVE, Mediapro/DAZN |
| Sri Lanka | TBA |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | New World TV, SuperSport |
| Suriname | STVS, ATV |
| Sweden | SVT, TV4 |
| Switzerland | SRG SSR |
| Taiwan | ELTA, EBC, TTV |
| Tajikistan | Varzish TV |
| Tanzania | Azam TV |
| Thailand | TBA |
| Timor-Leste | RTTL, ETO |
| Turkey | TRT |
| Turkmenistan | Quest Sports Media |
| Uganda | Azam TV |
| Ukraine | MEGOGO |
| United Kingdom | STV (Central & Northern Scotland), BBC, ITV |
| United States | Fox Sports (English), Telemundo (Spanish) |
| Uruguay | Canal 5, Antel TV |
| Uzbekistan | Zo’r TV |
| Vanuatu | VBTC |
| Venezuela | Televen |
| Vietnam | VTV |
| Zambia | Azam TV |
| Zimbabwe | Azam TV |
2026 Football World Cup: A Tournament for the Ages
This year’s 2026 Football World Cup is more than a football tournament; it is a cultural event spanning an entire continent. The tournament is expected to be the largest World Cup ever by both attendance and scale, and is also expected to expand the reach of football across North America.
With legendary players potentially playing their last World Cups, host nations hungry for glory, and a brand-new format delivering more football than ever before, the summer of 2026 promises to be utterly unforgettable for fans around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Uruguay vs Cabo Verde kicks off on Sunday, June 21, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. ET (11:00 p.m. BST) at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, USA.
Both teams are in Group H alongside Spain and Saudi Arabia. All four teams began the tournament level on one point after their respective draws on Matchday 1.
Uruguay drew 1-1 with Saudi Arabia on June 15 in Miami. Abdulelah Al Amri gave Saudi Arabia the lead in the first half before Maximiliano Araujo equalised in the 80th minute. Darwin Nunez was substituted at half-time.
Cabo Verde held European champions Spain to a 0-0 draw in Atlanta on June 15, in one of the most surprising results of the tournament’s opening week. Goalkeeper Vozinha was the standout performer in a disciplined collective display.
Ryan Mendes captains Cabo Verde and is the nation’s all-time leader with 94 caps and 22 international goals. The 36-year-old striker and winger has been central to the Blue Sharks’ rise over the past decade.
Using a VPN is legal in most countries. However, some broadcasters restrict VPN access in their terms of service. Always check your local laws and the terms of the streaming platform before using a VPN to access content.
