Uruguay were handed what appeared to be a straightforward group at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Aside from reigning European champions Spain, the South American side faced tournament newcomers Cape Verde and perennial underachievers Saudi Arabia.
Yet the two-time World Cup winners are heading home early after a 1-0 defeat to Spain on Friday. The squad, spearheaded by Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde and former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez, had originally been set to return to Uruguay aboard a private jet.
However, the AUF (Uruguay’s football federation) has instructed players to make the journey home on commercial flights, as confirmed by Uruguayan outlet Tenfield.
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Even the expanded 48-team format wasn’t enough to spare Uruguay, who failed to qualify as a third-place finisher. Coach Marcelo Bielsa’s side managed only draws against Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia, finishing on just two points.
Uruguay are the highest-ranked FIFA nation (19th) to be eliminated. Bielsa, 70, confirmed his resignation in a heated post-match outburst, reports the Mirror US.
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“I’ve left Uruguayan football nothing because any type of support a country’s soccer manager can give in a country where he has worked three years doesn’t take if you don’t get results,” Bielsa said, via a translation.
“The fourth place in the World Cup qualifiers wasn’t worth anything, third place in the Copa América wasn’t worth anything, and obviously, I don’t need to describe this showing. But if you ask me how my tenure will be remembered, as a tenure I’ve left nothing.
“The journalists, the Uruguayan supporters, you all want to blame me for what happened, and I must take that blame. It is the only right thing to do.”
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There were two controversial incidents involving Bielsa during Friday’s fixture. The first involved long-serving goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, a regular since the 2010 World Cup, being withdrawn at half-time after his first-half mistake.
“No, I didn’t take [the decision],” Bielsa said after the match. “It’s a decision Muslera took himself.”
Reserve keeper Sergio Rochet came on for the second period. The second occurred when Bielsa brought off Valverde in the 57th minute for striker Federico Vinas. The Real Madrid star was furious and refused to shake his manager’s hand as he left the pitch.
“It’s a decision Muslera took himself, and Valverde, I substituted him for Federico Viñas because I wanted to have a more attacking strategy,” Bielsa said.
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