Uruguay stranded in Mexico by paperwork chaos ahead of World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia

Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay squad are stranded in Cancun, Mexico, less than 48 hours before their World Cup 2026 opener against Saudi Arabia in Miami on Monday 16 June, after their chartered aircraft failed to receive clearance to fly to the United States.

The squad had travelled to Cancun for final preparations and are currently waiting at the Mayakoba Complex, a resort roughly 45 minutes from Cancun International Airport, while officials work to resolve paperwork issues with the aircraft. The problem reportedly centres on the plane not being approved for the Cancun-to-Miami route.

The delay is already affecting the team’s schedule. Bielsa is due to appear at a pre-match press conference at the Miami Stadium at 8pm EST on Sunday, but it looks increasingly likely he will miss that appointment. The Independent has contacted FIFA for comment.

Uruguay’s situation is far from isolated. A series of travel and entry problems have overshadowed the tournament’s build-up for multiple nations and individuals.

Somalian referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States despite appearing on FIFA’s list of approved officials, with authorities citing unspecified vetting concerns. Palestine Football Association chief Jibril Rajoub revealed on Friday that he is still awaiting permission to enter the country.

Iran’s football federation (FFIRI) has claimed that its fan ticket allocation was revoked just one week before the country’s first match against New Zealand in Los Angeles, calling the decision one that will “sabotage the presence of Iranian fans.”

Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey was denied entry to Canada, where the Black Stars are due to face Panama, after the Canadian government refused his visa application. Partey was previously charged by London’s Metropolitan Police with seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. FIFA confirmed in a statement: “FIFA can confirm that player Thomas Partey will be unable to travel from Ghana’s team base camp to Canada for their first match against Panama as his visa application has been refused by the Canadian government.”

Uruguay play their first two group stage matches in Miami — facing Saudi Arabia on 16 June and Cape Verde on 21 June — before returning to Mexico for a final group game against Spain on 27 June.