It’s Miami’s turn to play host at the 2026 World Cup. The first of seven matches set for Hard Rock Stadium pits Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay, the team that won the first edition of the global soccer tournament back in 1930.
La Celeste added another title in 1950, but they crashed out in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup. They’ll play this year without 39-year-old star and current Inter Miami forward Luis Suarez, instead riding behind Real Madrid’s Frederico Valverde and Darwin Nuñez of Al-Hilal. After shocking Lionel Messi and eventual champion Argentina to open group play four years ago, the Saudis hope to climb into the knockout stage for the first time since making their World Cup debut in 1994, the last time the United States hosted the tournament.
Uruguay won their previous World Cup matchup, a 1-0 decision at Russia 2018, and the two sides are 1-1-1 against each other all time. The Palm Beach Post and USA TODAY Network – Florida is covering the action at Miami Stadium. Follow along for live updates, scores and highlights from the game.
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Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay score updates
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KSA 1 – 0 URU – 40′ – 1st half
40′ Goal! Saudi Arabia’s Abdulelah Al-Amri breaks the deadlock
Saudi Arabia’s pressure has paid off!
Musab Al-Juwayar delivers a floated corner kick to the back post, which is met by the head of Mohamed Kanno. Fernando Muslera makes a save, but he spills the ball, and it drops right into the path of a crashing Abdulelah Al-Amri, who smashes the ball into the net to give Saudi Arabia the 1-0 lead.
36′ Saudi Arabia creates multiple chances, Fernando Muslera makes a pair of top saves
Moteb Al-Harbi dances forward from left back and takes on two Uruguayan defenders, splitting the pair with a classy dribble, before he is fouled about 30 yards away from goal. Musab Al-Juwayr floats the free kick into a crowded penalty box, but Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera punches the ball out for a corner kick.
Al-Juwayr plays the corner kick into the back post, and once again Muslera saves the effort. Saudi Arabia is knocking on the door of the game’s first goal.
29′ Mohammed Al-Owais keeps it scoreless with an impressive save
Uruguay thought they had the breakthrough after a lobbed ball from Rodrigo Bentacur to the back post. Maxi Aruajo heads a ball towards Federico Vinas, but Mohammed Al-Owais flies through the air to make a diving save.
It’s the second big chance for the Uruguayans, but the game remains scoreless.
19′ Uruguay’s free kick creates some chaos in the box
Matias Vina draws a foul near the corner flag, which allows a whipped free kick to enter the Saudi Arabia box. Despite a few desperate touches goalward, the Uruguayans can’t find the breakthrough. Vina has played exclusively on the touchline and is holding wide for Uruguay. He’s seen a lot of the ball.
Saudi Arabia breaks forward and towards the Uruguay side of the field to neutralize the threat.
14′ Saudi Arabia grows into the game, survives early Uruguay press
The first five minutes of action were dictated by Uruguay, whose high-pressure stifled Saudi Arabia. Each touch from a Saudi Arabian player was met with two or three light blue shirts crashing towards them like ocean waves arriving on the Miami Beach shores.
Saudi Arabia has since grown into the game and has slowed the game’s pace, which will favor them. Two shots from Uruguay to Saudi Arabia’s zero so far.
5′ Uruguay on the front foot early
Maxi Araujo’s long-range effort is saved by Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed Al-Owais and out for a corner kick.
The Uruguayan high press, a staple of head coach Marcelo Bielsa, has given Saudi Ariba a few nervous moments to start the match.
Kickoff! Saudi Arabia gets the first World Cup game in Miami underway
Saudi Arabia gets the first game of the World Cup from Miami officially underway!
The crowd leans favorably towards Uruguay, which joined in with a booming rendition of the country’s national anthem before kickoff. The iconic light blue of the two-time World Cup winners paints the grandstands with sprinkles of green from the Saudi Arabia supporters standing out in opposition.
There are noticeable amounts of empty seats.
A win for either side will boost hopes of qualification for the knockout rounds after Cape Verde held Spain to a 0-0 draw in the Group H opener. It is 92 degrees at kickoff.
The weather looks mostly clear from Miami Stadium
Kickoff is set for 6 p.m., and the weather looks mostly clear from Miami Stadium. Saudi Arabia and Uruguay should start on time.
FIFA does not have an official lighting policy, but in the 2025 Club World Cup, lighting delays were prevalent. Typically, there was a 30-minute mandatory delay. That is expected to continue in the World Cup if there is a lightning strike within eight to 10 miles of the stadium. Each additional strike adds another half-hour to the delay.
Saudi Arabia fans get a boost with flags behind the team’s bench
Hundreds of Saudi Arabian flags are placed behind the nation’s bench for fans to wave.
While the crowd in Miami is expected to be pro-Uruguay, the Saudi Arabian contingent will be well represented and equipped.
Saudi Arabia starting XI
Uruguay starting XI
Uruguay arrives in Miami after travel disruption
The Uruguayan team’s arrival in Miami was far from straightforward, as the plane set to carry the team to South Florida was delayed in Mexico on Sunday afternoon. The team eventually departed for Miami late Sunday night, hours after a reported paperwork issue kept the two-time World Cup winners from leaving on time.
The Uruguayan team spokesman told The Athletic that FIFA was to blame. FIFA downplayed the incident, saying “an airline permitting issue” was to blame.
How that impacts the team, if at all, will be something to monitor for the Uruguayan’s against Saudi Arabia.
What time does Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay start?
Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay TV channel, live stream
Watch Saudi Arabia-Uruguay in Spanish live on Peacock
Where is Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay playing?
The Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay World Cup match is at Miami Stadium, also known as Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. It is home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins and college football’s Miami Hurricanes.
Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay announcers
Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay predictions
World Cup schedule
Here’s a look at today’s World Cup matches. All times Eastern.
Miami World Cup games
All times Eastern.
Miami World Cup tickets
The next World Cup match scheduled for Hard Rock Stadium is Uruguay vs. Cape Verde on Sunday, June 21. Tickets are available on StubHub starting at $463.
Shop for World Cup tickets in Miami
World Cup weather update: Miami forecast
AccuWeather projects the temperature to be 92 degrees with partly sunny skies at kickoff in Miami Gardens, Florida. A heat advisory is in effect as of 4 p.m., and will remain in effect until 6 p.m., when the game is expected to start.
A slight threat of storms is present.
Saudi Arabia soccer schedule
Here’s a look at the Group H schedule for Saudi Arabia. All times Eastern.
Saudi Arabia soccer players
The Saudi Arabian team features nine players who saw time in the team’s upset of Argentina at Qatar 2022. See the full Saudi Arabia World Cup roster.
Uruguay soccer schedule
Here’s a look at the Group H schedule for Uruguay. All times Eastern.
Uruguay soccer players
The Uruguayan team features 15 players who were part of the team that took part in Qatar 2022. See the full Uruguay World Cup roster.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay World Cup live updates: Saudi Arabia takes 1-0 lead
Reporting by Dan Rorabaugh, Liam Rooney, Hal Habib and Eric J. Wallace, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Palm Beach Post
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By Dan Rorabaugh, Liam Rooney, Hal Habib and Eric J. Wallace, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida | USA TODAY Network
