World Cup: Uruguay barred from entering the United States hours before first game

 A dramatic twist has struck just hours before Uruguay’s opening match of the 2026 World Cup. The South American side is currently stranded in Mexico and has still not been able to travel to the United States ahead of Monday’s clash against Saudi Arabia in Miami.

According to Spanish outlet AS, the aircraft scheduled to transport La Celeste from Cancún was denied authorization to enter U.S. territory due to an administrative issue.

FIFA Races to Solve Uruguay Travel Crisis

The situation is rapidly descending into chaos. Marcelo Bielsa’s players remain stuck at their training base while FIFA urgently searches for an alternative aircraft capable of completing the journey.

The immediate consequence is major disruption to Uruguay’s match preparations. The official pre-match press conference could even be canceled, potentially exposing the federation to financial penalties.

Less than 24 hours before a crucial World Cup fixture, La Celeste is enduring a logistical nightmare. It is the latest controversy to cast a shadow over the organization of the 2026 tournament.