Uruguay have been eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup following a 1-0 defeat to Spain on Friday, June 26. The squad, including Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde and former Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez, was initially scheduled to return to Uruguay via private aircraft. However, the Uruguayan Football Federation (AUF) has ordered players to make the journey home on commercial flights, according to Uruguayan outlet Tenfield.
Shock Exit from the Tournament
Uruguay entered the tournament with a seemingly favourable draw that included reigning European champions Spain, World Cup newcomers Cape Verde, and Saudi Arabia. Despite the enlarged 48-team format, Uruguay failed to progress as one of the best third-placed sides, managing only draws against Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia to collect just two points. Uruguay, ranked 19th in FIFA standings, became the highest-ranked nation to fail to qualify for the knockout stages.
Bielsa Steps Down
Manager Marcelo Bielsa, 70, confirmed after the match that he is stepping down. In an impassioned address, Bielsa said: "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. 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." He added: "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."
Controversial Decisions
Two decisions by Bielsa during Friday's fixture proved particularly controversial. The first involved veteran goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, a first-choice starter since the 2010 World Cup, being withdrawn at half-time after a costly error. Bielsa stated: "No, I didn't take [the decision]. It's a decision Muslera took himself." Backup Sergio Rochet entered for the second half. The second flashpoint came when Bielsa substituted Valverde in the 57th minute, replacing him with striker Federico Vinas. Valverde was visibly furious and snubbed his coach's handshake as he left the pitch. Bielsa explained: "Valverde, I substituted him for Federico Viñas because I wanted to have a more attacking strategy."
