Saudi Arabia’s Abdulelah Al-Amri put his team ahead against Uruguay in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group H opener at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on June 15, 2026. The defender’s goal gave the Green Falcons the early advantage in a match loaded with storyline potential.
Here’s the thing: Saudi Arabia shocking a South American powerhouse at the World Cup isn’t exactly unprecedented. Their 2022 upset of Argentina is still seared into the collective memory of anyone who had a betting slip that day.
The setup in Miami
Saudi Arabia lined up in a 4-4-2 formation for their first match of the tournament. Goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais anchored the back, with captain Salem Al-Dawsari orchestrating things further up the pitch.
Uruguay brought out Luis Suarez and Darwin Nunez in the starting lineup, representing a strike partnership that most defenses would rather not deal with on a Sunday afternoon in South Florida.
