Uruguay's World Cup opener thrown into disarray by paperwork delay as squad stuck in Mexico before Saudi Arabia match
A paperwork error prevented Uruguay's charter from entering U.S. airspace, forcing the team to wait in Cancún for a replacement plane and jeopardising their pre-match schedule just one day before facing Saudi Arabia in Miami.
Travel chaos in Cancún
Uruguay's preparations for their opening World Cup match were thrown into uncertainty on Sunday when their scheduled flight from Cancún, Mexico, to Miami was not authorised to enter United States airspace. The delegation had been based at the Mayakoba Complex near Cancún and was set to travel for the Group H fixture against Saudi Arabia on Monday evening. Local media reported that the paperwork required by FIFA for the trip was not ready at the time of takeoff, grounding the team for several hours. The Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) said the issues were beyond its control and confirmed that FIFA had arranged a new departure time of 4.15pm local time. An AUF spokesperson explicitly blamed FIFA for the delay when asked by journalists.
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 disruption means Marcelo Bielsa's squad will arrive in the United States roughly 24 hours before the 6pm ET kick-off at Miami Stadium. A mandatory pre-match press conference featuring Bielsa and central defender Jose Maria Gimenez, originally scheduled for 6.45pm local time in Miami, was pushed back to 8pm. If it cannot take place, AUF risks sanctions from FIFA. The situation prompted AUF's social media account to share a post from former striker Diego Forlan recalling a similar flight delay before a 2010 World Cup match, adding a sarcastic "Who is to blame???"
- Squad holds final training session in Cancún, Mexico
- Original flight grounded: paperwork not ready, aircraft not authorised to enter U.S.
- New departure time set by FIFA
- Mandatory pre-match press conference rescheduled for 8pm ET in Miami
- World Cup Group H opener: Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia kicks off
A pattern of travel snarls
Uruguay's ordeal is the latest in a series of travel and entry complications surrounding the tournament. Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the U.S. due to unspecified vetting concerns despite being on FIFA's approved list. Palestine's football chief Jibril Rajoub disclosed he was still awaiting permission to enter the country. Iran's football federation claimed its fan ticket allocation had been revoked a week before their opener against New Zealand in Los Angeles, calling it an attempt to "sabotage" Iranian supporters' presence. Separately, Ghana's Thomas Partey was refused a Canadian visa and will miss his team's first match against Panama in Vancouver. FIFA has not commented on the broader pattern.
Saudi Arabia ready to seize the moment
While Uruguay grapple with logistics, Saudi Arabia's coach Georgios Donis struck a bullish tone at his own press conference, promising a proactive approach. The Greek manager, who took over from Herve Renard only seven weeks ago, said his team would not sit back and hope for a draw against the South Americans.
We are preparing a team that will not have a passive role and simply wait for the opponent in order to react. We are preparing a team that will play with confidence.
Donis noted that Saudi players are accustomed to facing stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in the domestic Saudi Pro League, which he believes will help them against Uruguay's Federico Valverde and company. The Saudis famously upset Argentina at the 2022 World Cup and reached the knockout stage the last time the U.S. hosted in 1994. Group H also includes European champions Spain and African side Cape Verde, making the opener a potentially pivotal match for both teams' hopes of advancing.
