Uruguay vs Cape Verde Is Today at Hard Rock. And the World Cup Is Coming Back to Miami Gardens for the Knockouts.
Uruguay vs. Cape Verde, today at 6 PM. The second World Cup match in Miami Gardens. And it won't be the last time the tournament visits, not by a long shot.
It's match day again in Miami Gardens. This evening at 6:00 PM, Uruguay faces Cape Verde at Hard Rock Stadium, the second of seven World Cup matches in our city. And here's the news that should excite every local: the tournament isn't just passing through for the group stage. The World Cup is coming back to Miami Gardens for the knockout rounds, including a Round of 32 match on July 3. Here's everything happening today and what's ahead.
Today: Uruguay vs. Cape Verde, 6 PM
This is the match we previewed in depth: two-time world champions Uruguay against the fairytale story of the tournament, Cape Verde, the 600,000-person island nation playing in its first-ever World Cup. After Cape Verde stunned Spain with a 0-0 draw and Uruguay was held by Saudi Arabia, both teams need points. With all four Group H teams level on one point, today's result at Hard Rock genuinely shapes who advances.
Earlier today, Spain played Saudi Arabia in Atlanta (the other Group H match), so by the time Uruguay and Cape Verde kick off at 6 PM, the group picture will be even clearer, and the stakes sharper. Uruguay, with Federico Valverde and Darwin Nunez, will be desperate to avoid a second straight draw. Cape Verde will look to extend their fairytale one more match.
The big news: the knockouts return to Miami Gardens
Here's what makes today even more meaningful. The bracket has been confirmed, and Hard Rock Stadium is hosting a Round of 32 match on Friday, July 3. The matchup: the winner of Group J against the runner-up of Group H.
Read that again. The runner-up of Group H. That's the group playing partly at Hard Rock right now. There's a real chance that one of the teams on the pitch today, Uruguay or Cape Verde, comes back to Miami Gardens in two weeks for a knockout match. The group that ran through our city returns to our city to decide who advances to the Round of 16.
That's not the only knockout coming. Hard Rock Stadium's full remaining slate:
| Date | Match | Kickoff |
|---|---|---|
| Today, June 21 | Uruguay vs. Cape Verde (Group H) | 6:00 PM |
| Wed, June 24 | Scotland vs. Brazil (Group C) | 6:00 PM |
| Sat, June 27 | Colombia vs. Portugal (Group K) | 7:30 PM |
| Fri, July 3 | Round of 32: Group J winner vs. Group H runner-up | 6:00 PM |
| Sat, July 11 | Quarterfinal | 5:00 PM |
| Sat, July 18 | Bronze Final (third-place match) | 5:00 PM |
Three group matches, a Round of 32, a quarterfinal, and the Bronze Final. Miami Gardens isn't a one-and-done host. It's a venue the World Cup keeps returning to, all the way through the second-to-last match of the entire tournament on July 18.
What else happened this weekend
The USA clinched the knockout round. The U.S. men's national team beat Australia 2-0 on Friday and won Group D, their first group-stage title since 2010. More on what that means here.
Brazil beat Haiti 3-0. A comfortable Brazil win, but for Miami Gardens' large Haitian community, Haiti's first World Cup in 52 years was about far more than the scoreline. Brazil now comes to Hard Rock on Wednesday.
Brazil vs. Scotland is Wednesday. The biggest match yet at Hard Rock. Vinicius Jr., possibly Neymar, and the traveling Tartan Army. Full preview here.
Going to today's match? Quick reminders
Everything is in our match-day guide, but the essentials: gates open at 3 PM, no ticket means no stadium access, take the free shuttle from Golden Glades, bring an empty water bottle and poncho (no umbrellas), and prepare for 90-degree heat. If you live nearby, the Clean Zone is active this afternoon, so plan around it.
Frequently asked questions
When is Uruguay vs Cape Verde at Hard Rock Stadium?
Uruguay vs. Cape Verde kicks off today, Sunday, June 21, 2026 at 6:00 PM ET at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. It airs on FS1 and streams free on the FOX One and FOX Sports apps. It is the second of seven World Cup matches at the stadium.
Is there a World Cup knockout match in Miami Gardens?
Yes. Hard Rock Stadium hosts a Round of 32 match on July 3 (Group J winner vs. Group H runner-up), a quarterfinal on July 11, and the Bronze Final (third-place match) on July 18. Combined with three group-stage matches, Miami Gardens hosts seven World Cup matches total.
Could Uruguay or Cape Verde return to Miami Gardens?
Yes. The July 3 Round of 32 match at Hard Rock Stadium features the Group H runner-up. Since both Uruguay and Cape Verde are in Group H, either could return to Miami Gardens for that knockout match if they finish second in the group.
Schedule and bracket via ESPN, FOX Sports, Yahoo Sports. See also: Cape Verde preview, Group H standings, match-day guide. Published: June 21, 2026.
