Uruguay's Journey to Miami for World Cup Opener Faces Delay

Uruguay's travel plans from Cancun to Miami, where they are set to face Saudi Arabia in their World Cup opening match on Monday, have encountered a setback due to a check-in issue, as reported by FIFA to dpa. The airline involved has expressed regret over the situation, and FIFA has maintained communication with the Uruguayan national team during this hiccup.

The specifics surrounding the original travel itinerary and how it has been impacted remain unclear. Despite the disruption, head coach Marcelo Bielsa assured that the delay would not hinder their preparations for the upcoming match. "The flight hasn't caused any problems," he stated, downplaying any potential travel disruptions.

In contrast to various media reports highlighting travel chaos, Bielsa opted not to focus on the complications and did not provide details regarding the duration of the delay. His press briefing, which was initially set for 6:45 pm (2245 GMT), ultimately commenced around 8:30 pm.

Earlier, several outlets, including The Athletic, cited a spokesperson from the association who attributed the delay to FIFA's handling of the situation. Throughout the tournament, Uruguay will be training at the Mayakoba Training Centre, located approximately 45 minutes from Cancun International Airport. After their match against Saudi Arabia, the team will also compete against Cape Verde and Spain in Group play.