The Uruguay national team hadn’t arrived in Miami as of early Sunday night for its Monday match against Saudi Arabia in the World Cup and was blaming FIFA for the troubles, according to published reports.
The flight reportedly was delayed for hours due to administrative issues, including some missing paperwork, and had officials scrambling to line up a new flight.
The Athletic reported that a member of the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) said FIFA was responsible for the traveling snafu.
FIFA is in charge of all travel related to the 48-team World Cup.
Uruguay is training in Playa del Carmen, Mexico and held a practice on Sunday. When the traveling delegation reached the airport in Cancun, approximately 45 miles away, they learned the group was not authorized to enter the United States.
The AUF said that a second plane from South Florida was en route to pick up the squad, while players waited at a resort outside Cancun for further information.
The match between Uruguay and Saudi Arabia is slated for 6 p.m. ET.
“Due to problems beyond the control of the AUF, the departure from Mexico has been delayed,” the AUF said in a statement. “The squad is resting at the hotel. The new departure time set by FIFA is 4.15 pm.”
The issue certainly ranks as a logistical nightmare for Uruguay with it occurring the day before the game.
Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa and team captain Jose Maria Gimenez missed Sunday’s scheduled press conference in South Florida due to the issue. The festivities were pushed back to 8 p.m. ET and the AUF reportedly could face sanctions by FIFA if the press conference doesn’t take place.
Uruguay and Saudi Arabia will play their first match of Group H at Miami Gardens, Fla. The other members of the group, Spain and Cape Verde, will play Monday in Atlanta.
–Field Level Media
