Uruguay's travel to their World Cup opener was delayed three hours after the first plane lacked U.S. clearance. The team blames FIFA for the disruption, cutting into final preparation time.
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Uruguay was delayed leaving their training camp after the first airplane arranged for the team lacked the required clearance to enter U.S. airspace, local reports said. The South American squad, a two-time World Cup winner, pointed at FIFA for the disruption ahead of its opening match.
The aircraft mix-up forced the team to wait for a replacement plane, cutting into preparation time. Uruguay had scheduled a final training session before taking on their group-stage opponent. The delay shortened that session and pushed it to a different venue, according to sources close to the delegation.
FIFA, soccer's global governing body, organizes travel logistics for all 32 participating nations. Uruguay's federation said it notified FIFA of the paperwork issue 48 hours before departure. Neither FIFA nor the Uruguayan Football Association offered immediate comment on why the first jet lacked the proper permissions.
Travel problems during major tournaments are not new. In 2018, England's squad sat on a tarmac for hours after a flight delay. A last-minute plane swap adds unwanted disruption for a team that expects to compete deep into the knockout rounds.
Coach Marcelo Bielsa had designed a light session for the day before the game, focused on set pieces and recovery. Missing that block eliminated fine-tuning ahead of a crucial group match. Players are accustomed to adjusting schedules, the federation noted.
The replacement flight departed roughly three hours late. Uruguay arrived at the match city with less than 24 hours before kickoff. That left time for a walk-through and rest, the delegation said.
Attention now shifts to whether FIFA will compensate Uruguay or adjust any match-day protocols. The team has not requested a schedule change. The episode adds a layer of grievance for a squad that already felt the draw handed them a difficult group.
For Uruguay, the focus remains on field performance. The travel chaos serves as an early test of how well the squad handles outside noise. If the team wins, the flightmare becomes a footnote. If they drop points, questions about FIFA's logistics will persist.
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