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Group H of the 2026 World Cup was made up of Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde, Spain and Uruguay. The six group stage matches will be played between June 15 and 26, 2026 in four cities: Atlanta, Guadalajara, Houston and Miami.

Headquarters and distribution

The first and second dates are concentrated in Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) and Miami (Hard Rock Stadium). On June 15 it will open with two parallel meetings; the same will happen on June 21. The third day, on June 26, will move to Houston (NRG Stadium) and Guadalajara (Akron Stadium).

The calendar establishes that each team faces two rivals in the first two days and closes with a different third. Spain and Uruguay will meet on the last day in Guadalajara. Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde will close in Houston.

With this distribution, the group starts with an Atlanta-Miami axis and defines its qualifiers in two different headquarters. The tournament will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Capacity and strategic location

MetLife Stadium, with a capacity for 82,566 spectators, is emerging as one of the largest capacity venues for the 2026 World Cup. Located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, it is part of the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area, a relevant connectivity point within the northeastern corridor of the United States.

The venue has a FieldTurf artificial grass surface and dimensions of 105 x 68 meters, aligned with international standards. Its construction began on September 5, 2007 and ended on April 10, 2010, with opening on May 7 of that year. The total cost of the project amounted to $1.6 billion.

Management and design

The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority owns the stadium, while New Meadowlands Stadium Company, LLC operates it. Originally called New Meadowlands Stadium (2010-2011), it later adopted the name MetLife Stadium.

The architectural design was carried out by Ewing Cole, Skanska and 360 Architecture, firms that conceived a large-scale multipurpose venue. Its capacity and metropolitan location make it a venue with specific weight within the logistical device of the 2026 World Cup, both due to the volume of public it can accommodate and its access to a dense transportation network.

Tie in the debut of Group H

Uruguay achieved a 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia in the match that closed the first round of Group H of the 2026 World Cup. The match, played at the Miami Stadium, left both teams with one point.

Abdulelah Al-Amri opened the scoring in the 41st minute. He took advantage of a rebound after a save by Fernando Muslera on a header from Hassan Altambakti, which came from a corner on the right.

Uruguay had more possession (64% against 36%) but could not find the goal. Until in the 80th minute Maximiliano Araújo hit a volley with his left foot after a header from Federico Viñas that Mohammed Al-Owais deflected. The rebound was left to the Uruguayan midfielder.

Muslera, in his fifth World Cup, prevented a second Saudi goal in the 38th minute by deflecting a right hand from Al-Amri. Al-Owais also stood out: he responded at 5, 30 and 45 minutes to shots from Araújo and Viñas.

Saudi Arabia, which surprised Argentina in Qatar 2022, retreated in the second half. Uruguay sought victory with centers. At 50 minutes Viñas headed wide; At 60 a shot by Manuel Ugarte hit the post. Al-Owais saved a Valverde free kick in the 67th.

After the tie, Uruguay continued to press. Al-Owais stopped shots from Nicolás de la Cruz and Valverde in stoppage time. Muslera controlled a high shot from Saud Abdulhamid.

Next Sunday the 21st, Uruguay will face Cape Verde in the same stadium. Saudi Arabia will face Spain in Atlanta.