Uruguay vs Spain: Spain Chase Top Spot, Uruguay Fight to Stay In

Predictions

Spain are flying and big favorites, but Uruguay are tough and have a lot to play for.

That mix points to a Spain win in a game Uruguay will make hard work.

• Our prediction: Spain win 2-1.
• Racing Post: a Spain win.
• Yahoo Sports: a Spain win, with over 2.5 goals.

What does each team need?

Spain are at the top of Group H on 4 points, so even a draw would send them through, most likely as winners.

Uruguay sit 2nd on 2 points, and a win would make sure of their place.

A draw could still be enough for Uruguay, but only if Cape Verde slip up in the other game, so they would rather not gamble.

The loser of this one could fall out of the top 2 and sweat on a best 3rd-place finish.

Why are Spain the favorites?

Spain are the strongest team here and play lovely passing football.

They started with a 0-0 draw against Cape Verde, then crushed Saudi Arabia 4-0.

Their teenage star Lamine Yamal, the number 19, is the player every defender dreads facing right now.

That class is why the bookmakers price Spain at about -209 to win.

Can Uruguay get the result they need?

Uruguay are a tough team to play against, and they never give up, even when they are losing.

They have drawn both games so far, against Saudi Arabia 1-1 and Cape Verde 2-2.

Federico Valverde, the number 8, drives them on, and Darwin Núñez, the number 9, can score out of nothing.

If they defend well and take their chances, Uruguay are good enough to trouble Spain.

Our call: Spain 2-1

We are going with a Spain win, 2-1.

Spain have the better players and the better form, so they should find a way through.

But Uruguay always score goals, so we expect them to make Spain work for it.

One moment of Lamine Yamal magic could be the difference.

What is at stake in Group H?

For Spain this is about finishing 1st in their group and getting the best possible route through the bracket.

For Uruguay it is much bigger, because a poor result could see them miss out on the knockout stage altogether.

The group is still tight, with Cape Verde also able to sneak through from the other game.

That makes this a real pressure game for Uruguay, against a Spain side with the handbrake off.

Where and when can you watch?

The game is on Friday June 26, 2026, at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Kickoff is 18:00 (6:00 PM) local time.

You can also see all the details on the match page.

Need a seat for it? Take a look at our World Cup tickets guide.