The Uruguay nationwide team is blaming FIFA after an surprising journey delay saved them from taking off on time and won’t enable them to arrive in the United States until less than 24 hours before their first match of the World Cup.
The team’s aircraft was scheduled to depart from Cancun, Mexico, where Uruguay’s base camp is positioned, on Sunday afternoon.
According to a number of reports, however, the flight was not licensed to enter the United States, with Telemundo reporting that there had been a paperwork difficulty with the aircraft’s entry permits into the U.S.
Uruguay’s nationwide team coach Marcelo Bielsa speaks at a press convention at the Celeste Complex in Canelones, Uruguay, 01 June 2026. Gaston Britos/EPA/Shutterstock
A second aircraft was wanted to come and take the Uruguay nationwide team to South Florida, according to The Athletic.
“Due to problems beyond the control of the AUF, the departure from Mexico has been delayed. The squad is resting at the hotel. The new departure time set by FIFA is 4.15pm,” the Uruguayan Football Association said in a assertion.
A spokesman for the federation also confirmed to The Athletic that it was FIFA’s fault for the journey delay.
FIFA said that it was a technical difficulty with the aircraft that precipitated the difficulty, according to USA Today.
Uruguay will face Saudi Arabia in their first match of the World Cup on Monday at 6 p.m. EDT in Miami.
Uruguayan gamers pose during the nationwide team’s send-off at Carrasco Airport forward of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Montevideo, Uruguay, 09 June 2026. FEDERICO GUTIERREZ/EPA/Shutterstock
There could also be another urgent matter relying on when Uruguay arrives in Florida.
Head coach Marcelo Bielsa and central defender Jose Maria Gimenez were slated to take half in a pre-match press convention on Sunday that had initially been scheduled for 6:45 p.m., but was pushed back to 8 p.m.
If it does not occur, the federation could be dealing with sanctions from FIFA.
The Uruguayan Football Association’s social media account did present posts of gamers boarding the flight to Miami around 5:40 p.m.
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