World Cup 2026: Uruguay and Spain line up in 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 respectively at Estadio Akron

Uruguay and Spain meet this Saturday, June 27, 2026 at 1:00 GMT+1 at Estadio Akron Stadium for a decisive World Cup 2026 group-stage match. Both teams have already played two matches in this phase and will be looking to improve their position in Group H, where Spain have four points while Uruguay have two.

The two head coaches have settled on their formations and starting lineups, with Marcelo Bielsa opting for a 4-2-3-1 system while Luis de la Fuente sends his team out in a 4-3-3. This tactical matchup highlights Uruguay’s desire to strengthen midfield with two ball-winners, while Spain are banking on the fluidity of their attacking trio.

Absent for this match, Giorgian de Arrascaeta is suffering from a muscle contusion, as is Ronald Araújo on the Uruguayan side. These absences force Bielsa to adjust his defensive and creative attacking sectors. Spain, full of confidence after a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia, name an XI featuring several young talents and established leaders.

The match will be broadcast live on beIN Sports 1 and shapes up as an important test to confirm or reverse the current momentum of the two teams in this World Cup group.

Reading Uruguay’s XI

Marcelo Bielsa deploys a 4-2-3-1 team built on the experience of goalkeeper Fernando Muslera and a back line made up of Guillermo Varela, Sebastián Cáceres, Mathías Olivera and Juan Sanabria. In midfield, Rodrigo Bentancur and Manuel Ugarte form a key double pivot in winning the ball back and building play.

Ahead of them, Agustín Canobbio, Federico Valverde and Maximiliano Araújo make up an attacking trio tasked with creation and finding gaps, supporting Darwin Núñez, the central striker and a key player in Uruguay’s attacking play. This system aims to balance defensive solidity with quick forward transitions.

The available substitutes notably include defender José María Giménez and midfielders Nicolás de la Cruz and Giorgian de Arrascaeta, the latter absent for this match.

Reading Spain’s XI

Luis de la Fuente presents a 4-3-3 formation with Unai Simón in goal and a defence made up of Marcos Llorente, Pau Cubarsí, Aymeric Laporte and Marc Cucurella. This quartet blends youth and experience, with particular focus on playing out from the back.

In midfield, Spain line up Pedri, Rodri and Mikel Merino, three players with complementary profiles who are capable of controlling the tempo and moving the ball forward. In attack, Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal and Alex Baena lead the front line, offering varied options on the wings and through the middle.

The Spanish bench includes options such as Pablo Gavi, Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres, who can influence the game in the second half depending on how the score develops.

The starting lineups

Uruguay

Formation4-2-3-1Head coachMarcelo Bielsa

Starters11

1. 23 Fernando Muslera Goalkeeper
2. 13 Guillermo Varela Defender
3. 3 Sebastián Cáceres Defender
4. 16 Mathías Olivera Defender
5. 25 Juan Sanabria Defender
6. 6 Rodrigo Bentancur Midfielder
7. 5 Manuel Ugarte Midfielder
8. 14 Agustín Canobbio Midfielder
9. 8 Federico Valverde Midfielder
10. 20 Maximiliano Araújo Midfielder
11. 9 Darwin Núñez Forward

Substitutes15

• 12 Santiago Mele
• 1 Sergio Rochet
• 17 Matías Viña
• 24 Santiago Bueno
• 2 José María Giménez
• 4 Ronald Araújo
• 22 Joaquín Piquerez
• 7 Nicolás de la Cruz
• 18 Brian Rodríguez
• 15 Emiliano Martínez
• 10 Giorgian de Arrascaeta
• 11 Facundo Pellistri
• 21 Federico Viñas
• 19 Rodrigo Aguirre
• 26 Rodrigo Zalazar

Spain

Formation4-3-3Head coachLuis de la Fuente

Starters11

1. 23 Unai Simón Goalkeeper
2. 5 Marcos Llorente Defender
3. 22 Pau Cubarsí Defender
4. 14 Aymeric Laporte Defender
5. 24 Marc Cucurella Defender
6. 20 Pedri Midfielder
7. 16 Rodri Midfielder
8. 6 Mikel Merino Midfielder
9. 19 Lamine Yamal Forward
10. 21 Mikel Oyarzabal Forward
11. 15 Alex Baena Forward

Substitutes15

• 13 Joan García
• 1 David Raya
• 2 Marc Pubill
• 4 Eric García
• 12 Pedro Porro
• 9 Pablo Gavi
• 18 Martín Zubimendi
• 17 Nico Williams
• 8 Fabián Ruiz
• 3 Alejandro Grimaldo
• 10 Dani Olmo
• 26 Borja Iglesias
• 7 Ferran Torres
• 11 Yéremy Pino
• 25 Víctor Muñoz

Uruguay

Half-time 0-1 Estadio Akron

Spain

27/06/2026 01:00 · Group H

Fil du match

1. 42'⚽But - A. Baena (passe M. Llorente)Espagne, 42e
2. 45'↑↓Remplacement - M. Ugarte (remplace N. de la Cruz)Uruguay, 45e

Group H schedule

View full schedule

View match details for Spain - Cape Verde

15/06 Group H

Spain

Finished 0-0 Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Cape Verde

View match details for Saudi Arabia - Uruguay

15/06 Group H

Saudi Arabia

Finished 1-1 Hard Rock Stadium

Uruguay

View match details for Spain - Saudi Arabia

21/06 Group H

Spain

Finished 4-0 Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Saudi Arabia

View match details for Uruguay - Cape Verde

21/06 Group H

Uruguay

Finished 2-2 Hard Rock Stadium

Cape Verde

View match details for Cape Verde - Saudi Arabia

27/06 Group H

Cape Verde

Half-time 0-0 NRG Stadium

Saudi Arabia

View match details for Uruguay - Spain

27/06 Group H

Uruguay

Half-time 0-1 Estadio Akron

Spain