Uruguay Lands in Miami After Flight Delay Ahead of World Cup Opener Against Saudi Arabia
FIFA set a new departure time after missing paperwork delayed the charter flight, forcing Uruguay to adjust its schedule before its World Cup opener.
- On Monday, June 15, 2026, the Uruguay national team arrived in Miami for their World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia at Hard Rock Stadium, following significant flight delays caused by paperwork issues in Mexico.
- Players remained stranded at the Mayakoba Complex, a resort about 45 minutes from Cancun International airport, while the Uruguayan Football Association blamed Fifa for the documentation problems.
- The United States government denied entry to Somali referee Omar Artan due to "vetting concerns," while Palestinian football chief Jibril Rajoub and Ghana's Thomas Partey faced similar visa complications.
- Frustrated by the situation, Uruguay legend Diego Forlan wrote "Who is to blame???" on social media, while Fifa downplayed the incident as a technical issue with the plane.
- Under new coach Georgios Donis, who replaced Herve Renard less than two months ago, Saudi Arabia aims to replicate their 2022 World Cup upset victory against Argentina.
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World Cup flightmare as Uruguay blames FIFA for travel chaos after an airplane mix-up
Uruguay's team poses before departing Montevideo last Tuesday.Santiago Mazzarovich / AFP via Getty ImagesTwo-time World Cup winners Uruguay faced travel delays on the way to the US.Paperwork issues meant their airplane lacked permission to enter the US.It's only the latest travel issue to beset the World Cup.One of the World Cup's most notable teams blamed FIFA after their travel to their first game was delayed.Uruguay, which has won the tournam…
The selection of Uruguay had complications in the run-up to its premiere in the 2026 World Cup. Celeste suffered the delay of its flight from Mexico to the United States due to the failure to complete a procedure by FIFA. According to Ovation, the castco charrúa had to board its charter to go to U.S. territory. The flight was scheduled to leave at 14 hours from Miami, but it was delayed between three and four hours in Playa del Carmen. “The reas…
The trip of the Uruguayan team from Cancún, Mexico, Miami, Florida, where she has to face Saudi Arabia on Monday for her first World Cup match, was delayed on Sunday due to a recording error, FIFA told the German news agency dpa. ...
World Cup 2026 controversy: FIFA under fire after Uruguay team flight denied US entry
Uruguay’s FIFA World Cup 2026 preparations faced a major setback as Marcelo Bielsa’s team was stranded in Mexico after an administrative issue delayed their arrival in the US ahead of Saudi Arabia clash.
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