Uruguay vs Cabo Verde: prediction & betting odds 21 June 2026

Form and Line-up Uruguay

Marcelo Bielsa's team began the tournament with a 1:1 draw against Saudi Arabia. Uruguay did not fall apart after conceding, but spent a long time banging against a defensive wall and were saved only in the 80th minute, when Maxi Araujo pounced on the ball after a save by Mohammed Al-Owais. The playing style is clear: Bielsa demands possession, high pressing and constant deliveries into the box from the flanks. Physically the team look ready to maintain a high tempo, but the risk is the same as before: if the opponent camps in their own penalty area, Uruguay rack up the volume of chances, but it does not always translate into quality.

Key numbers:

• Uruguay had 67% possession against Saudi Arabia – this is their best figure at World Cups since this statistic began to be recorded.

• The team attempted 27 shots and generated 1.72 xG but scored only once.

• In 9 of Uruguay's last 12 matches in all competitions the bet "both teams to score – no" has played.

Probable line-up (4-4-2): Fernando Muslera – Sebastian Caceres, Guillermo Varela, Mathias Olivera, Mathias Vina – Manuel Ugarte, Rodrigo Bentancur, Federico Valverde, Maxi Araujo – Darwin Nunez, Federico Vinas.

Absentees: Ronald Araujo, Giorgian de Arrascaeta – both injured. Jose Maria Gimenez – doubtful.

Form and Line-up Cape Verde

The World Cup debutants immediately made a loud statement: Cape Verde withstood Spain's pressure (0:0) and picked up their first point at the World Cup. Bubista's team defended for almost the entire match, compressed their penalty area and had no problem conceding possession, but within this plan there was discipline rather than panic. Their game is built on compactness, the work of two lines around their own box and quick breaks through Ryan Mendes, Jovane Cabral and Dailon Livramento. The match against Spain took a lot of energy: against Uruguay they will again have to run a lot without the ball, and recovery will be a separate test.

Key numbers:

• Goalkeeper Vozinha saved all seven shots on target from Spain.

• With Spain having 74% possession, Cape Verde committed only one foul – this is a record low in a World Cup match since 1966.

• In four of Cape Verde's last seven matches in all competitions the bet over 2.5 goals has played.

Probable line-up (4-4-2): Vozinha – Diney Borges, Roberto Lopes, Sidney Lopes Cabral, Steven Moreira – Jovane Cabral, Kevin Lenini, Jamiro Monteiro, Laros Duarte – Ryan Mendes, Dailon Livramento.

Absentees: Logan Costa – doubtful.

Who Will Referee the Match

Espen Eskås (Norway)

Matches – 23 (international matches, 2025–2026);
Average fouls per match – 24;
Average yellow cards per match (including second yellows) – 3.8;
Matches with a red card – 1 of 23;
Matches with a penalty awarded – 9 of 23.