Uruguay’s disappointing 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign ended on a sour note both on and off the pitch after the country’s football federation reportedly cancelled the team’s charter flight following their shock group-stage elimination.

The decision means the players will return to Uruguay on separate commercial flights instead of travelling home together as a squad, underlining the frustration surrounding one of the tournament’s biggest underperformers.

Uruguay’s disastrous FIFA World Cup campaign

Coming into the tournament as one of South America’s strongest sides under coach Marcelo Bielsa, Uruguay failed to win a single match in Group H.

Their campaign included:

• 0-0 draw against Cape Verde national football team
• 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia national football team
• 0-1 defeat to Spain national football team

The defeat to Spain confirmed Uruguay’s elimination as they finished bottom of Group H with just two points, ending their World Cup journey at the group stage without registering a victory.

Why was Uruguay’s charter flight cancelled?

According to reports from Uruguayan newspaper El País and broadcaster Tenfield, the Uruguayan Football Association cancelled the charter aircraft that had been arranged for the squad’s return after their elimination.

Instead, players have reportedly been instructed to make their own way home on separate commercial flights rather than travelling together as a team.

While the federation has not officially explained the decision, local reports suggest it reflects the disappointment over Uruguay’s early exit after entering the tournament with high expectations.

Marcelo Bielsa admits failure after World Cup exit

Following the defeat to Spain, Bielsa delivered a brutally honest assessment of his tenure with Uruguay. “I’ve left Uruguayan football nothing.”

The Argentine coach added that previous achievements-including a strong World Cup qualifying campaign and a third-place finish at the Copa América-had become meaningless after the team’s failure to progress beyond the group stage.

Reports also indicated Bielsa had faced criticism from members of the squad over his tactics and training methods before the decisive clash against Spain, highlighting growing tensions within the camp.

Another disappointing World Cup for Bielsa

The 2026 tournament marks the second time Bielsa has failed to guide a team beyond the World Cup group stage.

His World Cup record includes:

• 2002: Argentina eliminated in the group stage.
• 2010: Led Chile to the Round of 16, his best World Cup finish.
• 2026: Uruguay eliminated in the group stage without a win.

For Uruguay, the campaign will be remembered as one of the biggest disappointments of the tournament, with the team’s struggles culminating in the unusual decision to cancel the squad’s charter flight home after their early exit.