The USA vs Uruguay is a marquee friendly as both sides look to sharpen ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. As the USA gears up to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, they faces a Uruguay team that earned its spot through the South American CONMEBOL finals and carries valuable experience under coach Marcelo Bielsa.
The United States men’s national team wraps up their November 2025 international window on Tuesday, November 18, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, looking to avenge their painful 2024 Copa América group-stage exit to Uruguay. USA vs Uruguay
Mauricio Pochettino’s revitalized USMNT comes in on a three-game winning streak, with striker Folarin Balogun finding the net in each match. At the same time, Marcelo Bielsa’s La Celeste are unbeaten in their last six despite missing key stars Darwin Núñez and Federico Valverde.
It’s a crucial World Cup tune-up for both sides—the USA sharpening their game ahead of co-hosting in 2026, and Uruguay testing new tactics after securing qualification as CONMEBOL’s second-place finishers.
USA vs Uruguay – Date, Time, Predictions, and More
- Tournament: International Friendly – November 2025 International Window
- Match Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2025
- Kickoff Time:
- USA: 7:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT
- Europe: 12:00 AM GMT (Wednesday, November 19) / 1:00 AM CET
- Local (Tampa, Florida): 7:00 PM ET
- Venue: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida (Capacity: 69,218)
- Recent Form (Last 5 Matches):
- USA: L-L-W-D-W-W
- Uruguay: W-W-D-W-W-D
Team Form & Recent Performance – USA vs Uruguay
The United States has rediscovered winning form under manager Mauricio Pochettino, compiling three consecutive victories for the first time since the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup.
Most recently, the USMNT defeated Paraguay 2-1 at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania, on November 15, with Giovanni Reyna scoring in the 4th minute before Folarin Balogun netted the 71st-minute winner. This victory extended the United States’ unbeaten run against World Cup-qualified opponents to four consecutive matches, demonstrating tactical evolution under Pochettino’s leadership.
Previously, the USMNT secured 2-1 victories over Australia (October 14) and Ecuador (October 10) during their October international window. Critically, striker Folarin Balogun has scored in three consecutive matches, establishing himself as the reliable goal-scorer the USMNT desperately needed heading into the 2026 World Cup.
The Monaco forward now has 7 goals in 27 international appearances, demonstrating clinical finishing and ability to handle defensive attention. However, the USMNT remain without star captain Christian Pulisic (AC Milan winger recovering from injury) and Tyler Adams (Bournemouth midfielder who withdrew from November camp), forcing Pochettino to rely on emerging talents.
The squad features Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund, exceptional creative form), Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis midfielder), Antonee Robinson (Fulham defender), and Matt Turner (Crystal Palace goalkeeper).
Notably, the USMNT have historically struggled against Uruguay—winning just 2 of 9 all-time meetings—making this friendly a psychological test as much as tactical preparation.
Uruguay remain unbeaten across their last six matches (3 wins, 3 draws), maintaining defensive solidity that characterized their CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying campaign.
Most recently, La Celeste battled Mexico to a 0-0 draw on November 15 in a friendly encounter that showcased Uruguay’s elite defensive organization. Previously, Uruguay defeated Uzbekistan 2-1 on October 13, demonstrating ability to grind out results despite missing key stars.
Manager Marcelo Bielsa has guided Uruguay to second place in CONMEBOL qualifying with 28 points from 18 matches, securing automatic World Cup qualification behind Argentina.
However, Uruguay face significant absences: Darwin Núñez (Liverpool striker, rested), Federico Valverde (Real Madrid midfielder, injury), and Luis Suárez (retired from international football). Despite these losses, Uruguay’s depth remains formidable with Rodrigo Bentancur (Tottenham Hotspur, 72 caps, recently signed new long-term contract), José María Giménez (Atlético Madrid center-back), Ronald Araújo (Barcelona defender), and Manuel Ugarte (Paris Saint-Germain midfielder).
Uruguay’s defensive record throughout qualifying was exceptional, conceding just 19 goals across 18 matches with multiple clean sheets. Offensively, Brian Rodríguez (Club América) and Facundo Torres (Palmeiras) provide width, though Uruguay’s goal-scoring has been limited with just 1 goal in their last 3 matches.
This friendly represents Uruguay’s final international fixture of 2025, providing Bielsa opportunity for tactical experimentation before March’s international window.
Last 5 Matches & Results Summary
| Team | Last 5 Matches | Win–Draw–Loss Record |
|---|---|---|
| USA | vs Paraguay (W) · vs Australia (W) · vs Ecuador (D) · vs Japan (W) · vs South Korea (L) | 4W–0D–1L |
| Uruguay | vs Mexico (D) · vs Uzbekistan (W) · vs Chile (D) · vs Peru (W) · vs Colombia (W) | 3W–2D–0L |
Head-to-Head Record – USA vs Uruguay
Uruguay maintain a slight historical advantage over the United States, holding a 3-2-4 record (3 wins, 2 losses, 4 draws) across 9 competitive and friendly encounters since their first meeting at the 1924 Olympics in Paris (Uruguay won 3-0).
Most painfully for the USMNT, Uruguay eliminated the United States from the 2024 Copa América group stage with a 1-0 victory on July 1, 2024, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
This result triggered significant criticism of then-manager Gregg Berhalter and ultimately led to his dismissal. That Copa América defeat marked the third consecutive match between these nations finishing with under 2.5 goals, demonstrating both teams’ defensive organization.
Before that elimination, the teams drew 0-0 in a June 2022 friendly at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, maintaining a pattern of low-scoring, tactically conservative encounters.
The USMNT’s most recent victory came in May 2002 with a 2-1 friendly win, while Uruguay previously defeated the USA 1-0 at the 1993 Copa América. Notably, six of the nine all-time meetings have produced under 2.5 goals, suggesting Tuesday’s encounter will likely remain defensively disciplined despite attacking talents on both sides.
Overall Record H2H (Since 1924)
| Metric | USA | Uruguay | Draws |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Matches | 9 | — | — |
| Wins | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Win % | 22% | 33% | 44% |
| Total Goals For | 7 | 10 | — |
Recent Meetings (Last 5 Encounters)
| Date | Competition | Match | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jul 2024 | Copa América Group C | USA vs Uruguay | Uruguay Won | 0–1 |
| 5 Jun 2022 | International Friendly | USA vs Uruguay | Draw | 0–0 |
| 10 Sep 2019 | International Friendly | USA vs Uruguay | Draw | 1–1 |
| 12 May 2002 | International Friendly | USA vs Uruguay | USA Won | 2–1 |
| 25 Mar 1995 | International Friendly | USA vs Uruguay | Draw | 2–2 |
USA vs Uruguay Predicted Lineups
Based on current squad availability, recent tactical preferences, and November international window selections, here are the expected starting elevens:
USA Starting XI (4-3-3):
- Freese (GK); Scally, Robinson, Ream; Freeman, Tessmann, Roldán, Arfsten; Wright, Balogun, Diego Luna.
Uruguay Starting XI (4-3-3):
- Mele (GK); Varela, Araújo, Giménez, Viña; Bentancur, Ugarte, Martínez; Rodríguez, Sanabria, Aguirre.
Players to Watch – USA vs Uruguay
USA Standout Performers
- Folarin Balogun
- Giovanni Reyna
- Antonee Robinson
Uruguay Key Threats
- Rodrigo Bentancur
- José María Giménez
- Manuel Ugarte
Match Prediction
This will be a competitive friendly, and despite its non-competitive label, both teams will use it to experiment and fine-tune their play ahead of major tournaments.
Playing at home, the USA will push for a win but may still be working younger players into the lineup. Uruguay, under Bielsa, will rely on experience, organization, and relentless pressure.
- Prediction: USA 1–2 Uruguay
How to Watch USA vs Uruguay Live
Watch the USA vs Uruguay International Friendly live with these broadcasting options:
| Region | Broadcaster | Kickoff Time |
|---|---|---|
| United States | TNT / TruTV / HBO Max / Peacock / Universo/ Amazon Prime | 7:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT |
| Uruguay | Local broadcasters (VTV) | 9:00 PM UYT |
| United Kingdom | Streaming services | 12:00 AM GMT (Wed, Nov 19) |
| Europe (Spain) | Streaming partners | 1:00 AM CET (Wed, Nov 19) |
| Canada | Streaming services | 7:00 PM ET |