Bielsa’s New-Look Uruguay Meet a Saudi Arabia Dreaming of Another Upset
Marcelo Bielsa’s rebuilt Uruguay open against a Saudi Arabia side hoping to repeat their 2022 shock when the teams meet in Group H at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, The Herald reports.
M arcelo Bielsa’s new-look Uruguay begin their World Cup against a Saudi Arabia side dreaming of another upset when the teams meet in their Group H opener at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on June 15, The Herald reports. Saudi Arabia memorably beat Argentina in 2022 and hope to spring another surprise.
Saudi Arabia chasing 2022 magic
According to The Herald, Saudi Arabia head into the tournament under new coach Georgios Donis, appointed less than two months before kickoff in place of Hervé Renard, who masterminded the 2-1 win over Argentina in 2022. Their build-up was mixed, with friendly defeats including a 4-0 loss to Egypt and a 2-1 loss to Serbia. Captain Salem Al-Dawsari, scorer of the iconic goal against Argentina, remains their main attacking threat.
Bielsa’s youthful Uruguay
Bielsa has rebuilt Uruguay around younger players such as Federico Valverde, Darwin Núñez and Ronald Araújo, who is doubtful with a muscle problem, moving on from veterans Edinson Cavani and Luis Suárez. Qualifying wins over Brazil and Argentina and a 2024 Copa América semi-final point to promise, though inconsistency has lingered: Uruguay finished fourth in South American qualifying and lost a November friendly 5-1 to the United States. Off-field tension, including public criticism from former captain Suárez, has also shadowed his tenure.
In a Group H that also features Spain and Cape Verde, Uruguay start as favourites, but Saudi Arabia have shown before that they can upset the odds.
Reporting: based on The Herald, June 14, 2026.