The Uruguayan national football team faced a major logistical setback when their chartered plane was refused entry into the United States just hours before their 2026 World Cup opening match against Saudi Arabia. The team, scheduled to play in Miami, Florida, at 11pm on Monday, had been training in Cancun, Mexico, ahead of the Group H fixture.
Travel Fiasco Blamed on FIFA
The Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) issued a statement attributing the delay to issues beyond their control, with a spokesperson confirming that FIFA was responsible for the travel mishap. The aircraft originally arranged to fly the squad from Cancun to Miami was denied authorisation to enter U.S. airspace, forcing the AUF to arrange a replacement plane.
"Due to problems beyond the control of the AUF, the departure from Mexico has been delayed," the AUF statement read. "The squad is resting at the hotel. The new departure time set by FIFA is 4.15pm."
Potential Sanctions and Previous Criticism
Head coach Marcelo Bielsa and defender Jose Maria Gimenez were scheduled to face the media on Sunday, but their absence could result in sanctions from FIFA. This is not the first time Bielsa has encountered travel disputes involving the United States. He previously criticised the organisation of the 2024 CONMEBOL Copa America, hosted by the U.S., claiming that conditions were not as promised.
"They do press conferences and say 'No, the fields are perfect, the training pitches are perfect.'... I have all the photos that show that these are all lies," Bielsa said at the time. He also referenced the FIFAGate scandal, noting the U.S. government's intervention when its interests were threatened.
Broader Travel Issues Affecting Teams
The Uruguayan team is not alone in facing travel difficulties. Omar Artan, a listed staff member, was denied entry into the United States. Iran also reported that its fan ticket allocation was withdrawn, although the squad arrived after a peace agreement was announced. Iranian striker Mehdi Taremi expressed disappointment with the U.S. as a host nation, citing a tense atmosphere due to visa denials.
"I've been to three World Cups, and they always say once you get off the plane and you enter the host country, there's just a unique atmosphere of friendliness and global-ness," Taremi told ESPN. "Unfortunately, I'm not feeling it right now."
