Uruguay Footballers to Return on Commercial Flights After World Cup Exit

The Uruguayan national football team delegation will return from the World Cup on commercial flights, according to a statement released Saturday by the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF). The team was eliminated from the 2026 World Cup after losing their final group stage match to Spain.

The AUF clarified that a charter flight option was never contemplated for the return trip. They explained that the decision was influenced by the varying destinations of the delegation members, many of whom are returning directly to their clubs abroad. The initial outbound journey required a charter flight due to the large delegation size, exceeding 150 people, and the significant amount of equipment transported.

"As the competition concludes, a high percentage of the delegation travels directly to their countries of residence abroad to rejoin their respective clubs," the AUF statement detailed. "The outbound journey required an exclusive charter flight due to the volume of the delegation (over 150 people) and the need to transport more than 5,000 kilograms of luggage and equipment."

With the delegation significantly reduced, the remaining members will travel on commercial airlines, which the AUF deems the "fastest and most efficient" route for individual destinations. They are expected to arrive in different groups on Monday. Uruguay's exit from the tournament follows a pattern of group stage elimination in the 2022 Qatar and 2002 Korea-Japan World Cups.

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Al finalizar la competencia, un alto porcentaje de la delegación viaja directamente a sus países de residencia en el exterior para reintegrarse a sus respectivos clubes