Saudi Arabia Takes on Uruguay: World Cup Clash Preview, Bold Predictions, and Expected Lineups

First-ever World Cup champions Uruguay kick off their tournament campaign in Miami this summer, taking on Saudi Arabia at Hard Rock Stadium on Monday.

The Green Falcons are making their seventh World Cup appearance and third consecutive one. In their most recent outing, they produced one of the competition's most iconic upsets, coming from behind to defeat eventual winners Argentina. Despite that, the result wasn't sufficient to carry them into the knockout rounds for the first time since 1994.

The expansion to 48 nations and the introduction of an additional knockout stage give Saudi Arabia a better shot at a deeper run in North America this summer. Furthermore, Group H could be fiercely competitive below the anticipated frontrunners, Spain.

Uruguay may boast the history and reputation, but Marcelo Bielsa's tenure hasn't exactly ushered in a golden era. There were some notable results in qualifying, including victories over Colombia and Brazil, but a 5–1 thrashing at the hands of the USMNT last November was a deeply concerning low point.

They also chose to forgo any pre-tournament friendlies, with Bielsa preferring a training camp exclusively to get his squad ready for the challenges ahead.

Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay Score Prediction

Points Shared in Miami

Uruguay sits 45 spots higher in FIFA's world rankings and Marcelo Bielsa can draw on players from Real Madrid, Manchester United and Napoli, yet the two-time world champion hasn't consistently displayed the suffocating collective intensity typically associated with a Bielsa side.

Saudi Arabia may lack some of Uruguay's individual quality, but new head coach Georgios Donis can rely on a tight-knit group with genuine World Cup experience.

Claiming a result here wouldn't quite replicate their sensational win over Argentina, but the rankings gap suggests the Green Falcons enter this one as heavy underdogs in Miami.

Prediction: Saudi Arabia 0–0 Uruguay

Saudi Arabia Predicted Lineup vs. Uruguay

Saudi Arabia is missing first-choice goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi, who plays for reigning Saudi Pro League title holders Al Nassr, due to injury, meaning experienced shot-stopper Mohammed Al-Owais will step in. Al-Owais was the starting keeper in Qatar.

There are no other injury concerns.

Just one player in the 26-man squad, Saud Abdulhamid, plays his club football outside Saudi Arabia. The Lens defender will start at right back on Monday.

34-year-old Salem Al-Dawsari remains the creative spark in the attacking third. He has netted 27 goals across 110 international appearances, having made his debut for the national side in 2012. This will be his third World Cup, having featured in both the 2018 and 2022 squads.

Saudi Arabia predicted lineup vs. Uruguay (4-3-3): Al-Owais; Abdulhamid, Al-Tambakti, Lajami, Boushal; Kanno, Al-Khaibari; Al-Dawsari, Al-Juwayr, Al-Dawsari; Al-Buraikan.

Uruguay Predicted Lineup vs. Saudi Arabia

Importantly, Uruguay's midfield lynchpins Federico Valverde and Rodrigo Bentancur are both fit and available, with the latter impressing for Tottenham Hotspur during the final six weeks of the league campaign following his recovery from a knee problem.

However, Marcelo Bielsa faces more selection headaches than his Saudi counterpart, particularly at the back.

Ronald Araújo has returned to Spain after picking up a muscle injury during Uruguay's pre-tournament training camp, while skipper José María Giménez has also been ruled out of Monday's fixture. Fellow defenders Sebastián Cáceres and Matiás Viña are also doubts.

The South Americans will hope to welcome midfielder Giorgian de Arrascaeta back at some stage during the group stage, but the Flamengo player will not be available for Bielsa as early as Monday.

Uruguay predicted lineup vs. Saudi Arabia (4-2-3-1): Muslera; Varela, Bueno, Cáceres, Olivera; Valverde, Ugarte, Bentancur, Araújo; Nuñez, Viñas.

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James Cormack is a freelance soccer writer for Sports Illustrated FC. An expert on Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, he covers Italian and German football, with a particular focus on the work of Antonio Conte & Julian Nagelsmann.