Uruguay was eliminated from the 2026 World Cup after losing 1-0 to Spain in their final Group H match in Guadalajara on June 27, finishing third with just two points from three games [1, 2, 3]. The team drew against Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde before losing to Spain, failing to win a single group stage match [1, 2, 3]. Spain topped the group and Cape Verde advanced in second place, leapfrogging Uruguay [1, 3].
At 70 years old, coach Marcelo Bielsa publicly took full responsibility for the team’s results, saying he "left nothing" to Uruguayan football after three years in charge [1, 2, 3]. Bielsa called himself "toxic" because of his behavior and admitted to a poor relationship with players, including rumors of a mutiny before the tournament [1, 2]. He said, "I have not left anything to Uruguayan football... Fourth place in the qualifiers has no value and nor does third at the Copa América and there is no need to even define this performance" [1]. Bielsa added, "What do I leave for Uruguayan football? Nothing... any contribution... never truly takes hold if results aren’t achieved" [2].
Bielsa also said Uruguay deserved seven points but earned only two, adding, "I was tasked with managing a squad of highly qualified players, and I simply failed to get the most out of them" [3]. The team went into the World Cup ranked 19th in FIFA standings and was the highest-ranked side eliminated so far [2].
Uruguay’s defense struggled in the loss to Spain, with 40-year-old goalkeeper Fernando Muslera withdrawn at halftime after an error that led to the only goal [1]. During the match, Bielsa substituted Fede Valverde in anger, with Valverde leaving the pitch covering his mouth with his shirt [1].
This exit capped a seven-game run without a win, including a 5-1 loss to the United States at the Copa América [1, 2]. Bielsa took over the national team in 2023 and confirmed he would step down after the World Cup [1, 2, 3].
