Lineups · FIFA World Cup 2026 Group Stage

Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay Lineups — FIFA World Cup 2026

Confirmed Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay lineups, starting 11s, bench lists, and final team news from the Group H opener in Miami.

Asad Sial By Asad Sial

Published

Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay lineups are confirmed, and the official team sheet has brought two notable shape calls in Miami. Match 13 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H schedule is listed with Saudi Arabia in a 4-4-2 and Uruguay in a 4-2-3-1. Saudi Arabia start Mohammed Abu Alshamat from the opening whistle, while Uruguay choose Fernando Muslera in goal and Federico Vinas in the attack.

Saudi Arabia Confirmed Lineup

Saudi Arabia's confirmed lineup shifts away from the projected 4-2-3-1 and instead gives Georgios Donis a flatter 4-4-2 look. Mohammed Al-Owais stays in goal, the Abdulhamid and Moteb Al-Harbi full-back pairing remains intact, and Mohammed Abu Alshamat joins the starting side on the flank. Salem Al-Dawsari pushes higher with Firas Al-Buraikan, which gives Saudi Arabia more direct counterattacking intent from the start.

PositionPlayer
GKMohammed Al-Owais
DEFSaud Abdulhamid
DEFHassan Al-Tambakti
DEFAbdulelah Al-Amri
DEFMoteb Al-Harbi
MIDMohammed Abu Alshamat
MIDMusab Al-Juwayr
MIDAbdullah Al-Khaibari
MIDMohamed Kanno
FWSalem Al-Dawsari
FWFiras Al-Buraikan

Formation listed by FIFA: 4-4-2.

Substitutes: Nawaf Al-Aqidi, Ahmed Al-Kassar, Ali Majrashi, Ali Lajami, Nawaf Boushal, Hassan Kadesh, Jehad Thakri, Nasser Al-Dawsari, Ziyad Al-Johani, Ala Alhajji, Ayman Yahya, Saleh Al-Shehri, Khalid Al Ghannam, Abdullah Al-Hamdan, Sultan Mandash.

Mohammed Abu Alshamat is the clear lineup surprise because Saudi Arabia have added more running power on the flank instead of opening with Sultan Mandash.

Salem Al-Dawsari starting as part of the front pair also changes the plan because Saudi Arabia can attack space faster once Kanno or Al-Khaibari win the ball.

Uruguay Confirmed Lineup

Uruguay's confirmed lineup has also moved away from the strongest pre-match projection. Marcelo Bielsa has chosen Fernando Muslera over Sergio Rochet in goal and set the side in a 4-2-3-1. Federico Valverde plays from the advanced line behind Darwin Nunez, while Federico Vinas gets the nod in support and Matias Vina starts in defence.

PositionPlayer
GKFernando Muslera
DEFSebastian Caceres
DEFGuillermo Varela
DEFMathias Olivera
DEFMatias Vina
MIDManuel Ugarte
MIDRodrigo Bentancur
MIDFederico Valverde
MIDMaximiliano Araujo
FWDarwin Nunez
FWFederico Vinas

Formation listed by FIFA: 4-2-3-1.

Substitutes: Sergio Rochet, Santiago Mele, Jose Maria Gimenez, Santiago Bueno, Nicolas de la Cruz, Agustin Canobbio, Emiliano Martinez, Joaquin Piquerez, Juan Manuel Sanabria, Rodrigo Zalazar, Facundo Pellistri, Brian Rodriguez, Rodrigo Aguirre.

Muslera starting over Rochet is Uruguay's headline selection call, while Federico Vinas earning a place in the attack changes the expected front line.

Valverde's higher role should also matter because Uruguay can attack the half-spaces faster with Bentancur and Ugarte protecting behind him.

Team News and Injury Report

Saudi Arabia's official sheet confirms Mohammed Al-Owais in goal, while Nawaf Al-Aqidi is available on the bench rather than starting. The bigger tactical switch is Abu Alshamat coming into the XI and Salem moving into a higher role next to Firas Al-Buraikan.

Uruguay have answered the pre-match goalkeeper question by starting Fernando Muslera. Jose Maria Gimenez is only on the bench, while Matias Vina and Federico Vinas both come straight into the starting side.

PlayerTeamStatusReason
Nawaf Al-AqidiSaudi ArabiaBenchNamed among the official substitutes
Mohammed Abu AlshamatSaudi ArabiaStartingIncluded in the official XI after missing most pre-match projections
Fernando MusleraUruguayStartingChosen in goal ahead of Sergio Rochet
Jose Maria GimenezUruguayBenchIncluded among the official substitutes, not the starting side

Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay — Key Tactical Battle

The main tactical swing sits in the shape clash. Saudi Arabia have gone with a 4-4-2, so Al-Khaibari and Kanno need to stop Valverde receiving too cleanly between the lines in Uruguay's 4-2-3-1.

The other key lane is Saudi Arabia's right side because Saud Abdulhamid and Abu Alshamat must track Uruguay's left-side rotations without losing the chance to break. If Uruguay pin them back, Saudi Arabia will struggle to get Salem close enough to the second ball.

RoleSaudi ArabiaUruguay
Primary build-upKanno and Al-Khaibari keeping the middle compactBentancur and Ugarte feeding Valverde between the lines
Main attacking routeSalem and Al-Buraikan attacking early transition spaceValverde connecting Darwin Nunez and Federico Vinas
Wide pressure pointAbdulhamid and Abu Alshamat managing Uruguay's left channelMaximiliano Araujo and Matias Vina forcing Saudi Arabia deeper

Uruguay still have the stronger midfield platform, yet Saudi Arabia's front-two setup gives them a cleaner counter route than the earlier projections suggested.

Match Details

Key InfoDetail
DateMonday, June 15, 2026
Kickoff Time6:00 PM ET / 10:00 PM UTC
VenueMiami Stadium, Miami
StageFIFA World Cup 2026 Group Stage
GroupGroup H
RefereeMaurizio Mariani

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the confirmed Saudi Arabia lineup against Uruguay?

Saudi Arabia start with Mohammed Al-Owais, Saud Abdulhamid, Hassan Al-Tambakti, Abdulelah Al-Amri, Moteb Al-Harbi, Mohammed Abu Alshamat, Musab Al-Juwayr, Abdullah Al-Khaibari, Mohamed Kanno, Firas Al-Buraikan, and Salem Al-Dawsari.

Is Nawaf Al-Aqidi expected to start for Saudi Arabia against Uruguay?

No. Nawaf Al-Aqidi is on the bench, while Mohammed Al-Owais starts in goal for Saudi Arabia.

When does Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay start?

Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay starts at 6:00 PM ET on Monday, June 15, 2026. The match will be played at Miami Stadium in Miami.

What formation will Uruguay use against Saudi Arabia?

Uruguay are officially listed in a 4-2-3-1, with Bentancur and Ugarte behind Federico Valverde and Darwin Nunez leading the line.

The confirmed lineups show Saudi Arabia taking a more direct two-forward route, while Uruguay lean on Muslera, Valverde, and Darwin Nunez in a more attack-first setup.

Stay with FWC LIVE for the full Group H updates from Miami.

Read Also: Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay — FIFA World Cup 2026 Group Stage Preview and Prediction

Want to say Something?