MAIMI GARDENS: Saudi Arabia will begin their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H campaign against Uruguay here at Hard Rock Stadium on Monday, with both nations aiming to make a strong start to the tournament.

A victory for either side could see them move to the top of Group H, adding extra significance to the opening fixture.

Saudi Arabia's squad features just one player with Serie A links, right-back Saud Abdulhamid, who previously played for Roma.

Uruguay, however, boast several players with experience in Italy's top flight.

Defender Mathías Olivera currently represents Napoli, while Rodrigo Bentancur, Matías Viña and veteran goalkeeper Fernando Muslera have all enjoyed spells in Serie A during their careers.

The two sides have met only once before at the FIFA World Cup, during the group stage of the 2018 tournament in Russia. On that occasion, Uruguay edged a tightly contested encounter 1-0 thanks to a first-half goal from Luis Suarez.

Saudi Arabia are making their seventh appearance at the FIFA World Cup and their third in succession, having also qualified for the 2018 and 2022 editions.

Uruguay, meanwhile, are competing in their 15th World Cup. The South American side have now qualified for five consecutive tournaments, maintaining an unbroken presence on football's biggest stage since 2010.

With valuable points at stake from the outset, both teams will be eager to lay down an early marker in what promises to be a fiercely contested Group H campaign.

Saudi Arabia XI:

Mohammed Alowais; Abdulelah Alamri, Hassan Altambakti, Saud Abdulhamid, Moteb Alharbi, Mohammed Abu Alshamat; Musab Aljuwayr, Abdullah Alkhaibari, Mohamed Kanno; Salem Al-Dawsari (C), Feras Albrikan.

Uruguay XI:

Fernando Muslera; Sebastian Caceres, Guillermo Varela, Mathias Olivera, Matias Vina; Manuel Ugarte, Rodrigo Bentancur (C), Federico Valverde, Maxi Araujo; Darwin Nunez, Federico Vinas