Spain and Uruguay clash at the 2026 World Cup Matchday 3, in a decisive game that will define the positions from Group H. Uruguay and Spain meet at Guadalajara Stadium in the final round of 2026 World Cup Group D fixtures, with both nations knowing the result will go a long way toward deciding who tops the group and who books a Round of 32 spot.
Spain head into this one in pole position after their dramatic turnaround. La Roja opened the tournament with a 0-0 draw against Cape Verde but responded emphatically on Matchday 2, beating Saudi Arabia 4-0.
For this crucial game looking to secure a spot in the next round, Lamine Yamal is expected to start, as the forward returned to the lineup against Saudi Arabia after being eased back from injury.
Uruguay, meanwhile, arrive under considerably more pressure. Marcelo Bielsa’s side has been unable to turn good performances into wins, playing out a 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia before another leveled match, this time 2-2 against Cape Verde.
Lamine Yamal celebrates a goal for Spain. (Getty Images)
With just two points to their name, La Celeste know a win is the safest route into the knockout stage, while anything less leaves their fate tangled up with the simultaneous Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia game in Houston.
Spain projected lineup
Luis De la Fuente looks set to stick with the same approach that overwhelmed Saudi Arabia, trusting his front line of Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal and Nico Williams to create problems for Uruguay. Dani Olmo is again expected to be preferred to Fabián Ruiz in midfield, with Rodri and Pedri completing the trio in front of the back four.
Spain’s projected starting XI: Unai Simón; Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsí, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella; Rodri, Pedri, Dani Olmo; Nico Williams, Mikel Oyarzabal, Lamine Yamal.
Uruguay projected lineup
For this game, the biggest subplot for Uruguay is whether Darwin Núñez finally gets the start ahead of Federico Viñas, who struggled to make an impact in the draw with Cape Verde. With everything on the line, expect Bielsa to turn to his most clinical finisher from kickoff.
Uruguay’s projected starting XI: Fernando Muslera; Guillermo Varela, Sebastián Cáceres, Mathías Olivera, Juan Manuel Sanabria; Federico Valverde, Manuel Ugarte, Rodrigo Bentancur; Agustín Canobbio, Maximiliano Araújo; Darwin Núñez.