Uruguay vs Cape Verde Predicted Lineups & Team News

Cape Verde look to shock the world once again as they defend their unbeaten record at the 2026 World Cup against 2010 semi-finalists Uruguay. The minnows snatched a vital point by frustrating Spain in their 0-0 Group H opener.  Uruguay match them on one point at present, having needed a Maximiliano Araujo strike 10 minutes from time to salvage a 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia.

Keep reading for our Uruguay vs Cape Verde predicted lineups and team news.

Uruguay

Marcelo Bielsa has a full and fit squad to pick from as we go to press. The beloved former Leeds United manager could name a Premier League-heavy midfield, with Spurs man Rodrigo Bentancur and Manchester United’s rogue tackler Manuel Ugarte as the central ballast. Ex-Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez looks set to continue up front, enhancing that English top flight reunion.

Atletico Madrid defender Jose Gimenez is on course to claim his 100th Uruguay cap. He will likely be partnered by the robust Ronald Araujo, a three-time La Liga winner with Barcelona.

Cape Verde

More of the same here surely. Manager Bubista led Cape Verde to the most famous result in their history against Spain. It is hard to see the 56-year-old changing too much when facing another high-class opponent.

That should mean a starting berth for goalkeeping hero Vozinha, who faced down 27 Spain shots, including seven on target, to keep his sheet clean. In front of him sits Villarreal’s Logan Costa at centre-half.

Veteran midfielder Garry Rodrigues, once a league champion with Galatasaray, provides key experience in the centre of the pitch.

Remember you can bet on this match and check out all of the live Uruguay vs Cape Verde Odds over on betfred.com

Uruguay vs Cape Verde Key Players

Darwin Nunez (Uruguay)

This is the first World Cup in 20 years where Uruguay have been without their talismanic Mike Tyson impressionist; Luis Suarez. So the mantle falls to a man who played alongside Suarez at his final tournament in 2022.

Formerly of Liverpool, much like his retired former strike partner, Nunez now plays his football for Al-Hilal. The languid 26-year-old is the joint-top scorer in this Uruguay squad with 13 international goals. Veteran Giorgian de Arrascaeta is level with Nunez on that total and the pair are the only two players in this side to have hit double figures for Uruguay. 

The focus will be on Nunez to provide the attacking focal point for La Celeste.

Ryan Mendes (Cape Verde)

The 36-year-old plays his club football for Igdir in Turkey’s second-tier. But he is a far more high-profile prospect at international level. Mendes is Cape Verde’s all-time leading appearance maker (99) and goalscorer (22). 

The Spain draw was a credit to this plucky side and, rightly or wrongly, will inevitably be used as evidence to support the bloated 48-team tournament structure. But Cape Verde cannot afford to look at the Spain result as the be-all and end-all. The Blue Sharks must reach for the impossible. To do that, they must score. 

Mendes is the best that Cape Verde has ever produced when it comes to hitting the net. If a fairytale berth into the knockouts is on the cards, this man will likely be responsible.

For all of our coverage and betting markets for the festival of football this summer, please check out our World Cup Odds over on betfred.com