Uruguay arrives in Miami over three hours late after FIFA flight documentation error

The Uruguayan national football team faced a significant delay in their arrival in Miami for the 2026 World Cup, arriving over three hours later than scheduled. The disruption stemmed from a FIFA error concerning the documentation for their chartered flight from Cancun, Mexico. The team was initially set to land at 2:00 PM local time (19:00 GMT) on Sunday, June 14, 2026.

According to Uruguayan press reports, the aircraft provided by FIFA did not meet the required documentation standards for international travel. This administrative oversight necessitated finding an alternative plane that complied with all regulations, leading to the substantial delay. FIFA is responsible for the air and ground transportation of all participating delegations in its tournaments.

Despite the travel hiccup, the Uruguayan delegation landed without further incident at Fort Lauderdale International Airport. Shortly after arrival, coach Marcelo Bielsa and team captain José María Giménez proceeded to the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami to hold a press conference. The rest of the squad headed directly to their team hotel.

Uruguay is scheduled to make its debut in the 2026 World Cup on Monday against Saudi Arabia in Group H. The match will take place at the Hard Rock Stadium, with kickoff set for 6:00 PM local time (22:00 GMT). The other teams in Group H are Spain and Cabo Verde, who will play their opening match earlier that day.