Uruguay's FIFA WC exit turns chaotic as federation cancels team flight home

NEW DELHI: Two-time world champions Uruguay national football team endured a humiliating end to their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign after crashing out in the group stage without registering a single victory. Uruguay finished bottom of Group H following a 0-1 defeat to Spain national football team, having earlier drawn against Cabo Verde and Saudi Arabia. The disappointing performance reportedly prompted the Uruguayan football federation to take a drastic step. According to media reports, the federation cancelled the team's charter flight home, forcing players to make their own arrangements and return to Uruguay on separate commercial flights rather than travelling back together as a squad.The early exit also sparked tension within the camp. Reports suggested that several players had confronted head coach Marcelo Bielsa over his tactics and training methods before the decisive match against Spain.Following Uruguay's elimination, Bielsa did not hide his disappointment and questioned the impact of his three-year tenure with the national side."I've left Uruguayan football nothing, because any type of support a country's football manager can give in a country where he has worked for three years doesn't take hold if you don't get results," Bielsa said."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."This marks the second time Bielsa has failed to guide a team beyond the World Cup group stage, having also suffered an early exit with Argentina at the 2002 tournament. His best World Cup performance remains leading Chile to the round of 16 at the 2010 edition in South Africa.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.