Uruguay 2026 World Cup Team Preview, Betting Odds, Predictions & Best Bets
The Uruguayan national team enters the 2026 World Cup as the fourth-highest-ranked South American side in the FIFA rankings.
Led by manager Marcelo Bielsa, Uruguay will look to build on a strong CONMEBOL qualifying campaign over the past few years. Let’s break down our Uruguay predictions, best bets, and preview for the 2026 World Cup.
Uruguay 2026 World Cup Betting Odds
- To Win World Cup:
- To Reach Final:
- To Reach Semifinal:
- To Reach Quarterfinal:
- To Win Group H:
- To Advance From Group:
- Group: Group H
- FIFA Rank: 17
La Celeste enters the tournament as one of five teams priced at +6000 to lift the trophy. Bielsa’s squad can comfortably be considered a long shot to bring the World Cup back to Uruguay for the first time in 76 years.
The two-time World Cup champions have a significantly better chance of reaching the final, with oddsmakers pricing them at +1750 – the same as the USA.
Uruguay will certainly have the talent to make a dark horse run in this tournament; however, reaching the final or winning outright seems far-fetched.
Uruguay 2026 World Cup Best Bet
Uruguay can comfortably be considered the second-strongest side in Group H. The group will likely be controlled by the 2024 European champions, Spain, who enter the tournament as one of the favorites to win it all.
That leaves Uruguay, Cape Verde, and Saudi Arabia battling for a spot in the knockout rounds. The Cape Verde national team is a first-time participant in the World Cup, and tied for the third-highest odds of winning the tournament (+100000).
Saudi Arabia likely represents Uruguay’s toughest competition for second place. While the Saudi Arabian national team has improved, the Georgios Donis-led team has failed to reach the knockout rounds in its last six World Cup appearances.
Uruguay should be favored against both Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia, and barring any upsets, should finish second in Group H.
Best Bet: Parlay: Uruguay ML vs. Cape Verde & Uruguay ML vs. Saudi Arabia (+120)
Uruguay 2026 World Cup Players to Watch
Uruguay is one of the most well-rounded South American teams, with top-tier talent throughout the squad. Let’s break down which Uruguay players to watch at the 2026 World Cup.
Darwin Núñez: Núñez is Uruguay’s most exciting attacking talent since legendary striker Luis Suárez. Núñez has all the characteristics to make him one of the top strikers in the world; however, the 26-year-old has at times struggled to put everything together consistently.
After an up-and-down three-year spell with Liverpool, Núñez made the move to the Saudi Pro League, where he has 10 G/A in 14 starts. A solid showing in the 2026 World Cup would certainly entice several top clubs to pursue the Uruguayan striker in the upcoming club season.
Federico Valverde: One of Bielsa’s most important midfielders, Valverde, enters the 2026 World Cup after a drama-filled season at Real Madrid. The 27-year-old will look to put his club-centered issues behind him when he represents his country in his second World Cup.
Valverde has made a name for himself by being versatile, fitting into any role his team needs for success. You can expect “Fede” to occupy central midfield, connecting play across both sides of the pitch, and taking a patented long-distance shot that always seems like it’s going in. A strong tournament could help reset momentum heading into next season following a difficult finish at Real Madrid.
Uruguay World Cup History
Uruguay will aim for a deeper run after an early group-stage exit in 2022. This marked the first time La Celeste had failed to reach the knockout rounds since the 2002 World Cup.
Bielsa’s squad finished the CONMEBOL qualifiers tied on points with Colombia, Brazil, and Paraguay, though results in international friendlies since late 2025 have been inconsistent. Uruguay will not have any more friendlies prior to opening the tournament against Saudi Arabia on June 15.
Photo Credit: AP/Jacob Kupferman
