Uruguay’s World Cup team stalled by paperwork delays

Uruguay’s World – Uruguay’s men’s team, already delayed in travel to the United States from Mexico over alleged paperwork and permitting issues, reportedly faced another security hurdle in Miami as sniffer dogs inspected their luggage before the opener against Saudi Arabia. The

Uruguay’s World Cup trip to Miami started with time slipping away—and then, at the curb, it tightened again.

A video posted on social media on Monday showed Uruguay’s men’s team held outside their bus while security officers and sniffer dogs inspected players’ luggage. Some players appeared to smile through the wait. Others, including Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte, looked stern as the inspection played out. The footage didn’t make clear exactly where or when it was filmed. but recognizable members of the squad—such as blue-haired Ronald Araújo—were seen during the stop. wearing the same outfits broadcast viewers had seen on match coverage just before Uruguay’s opener began at Miami Stadium.

Uruguay’s match against Saudi Arabia did go ahead, and the team drew 1–1.

The security stop arrived after the team had already been thrown off by travel problems tied to paperwork and flight authorization. The squad had been scheduled to fly from Cancún. near their training base in Playa del Carmen. to Fort Lauderdale on Sunday afternoon. Instead, their departure was halted because of administrative issues: the FIFA-provided flight reportedly lacked the required paperwork. The players were left stranded in Mexico, and even their replacement flight faced delays.

A spokesperson for the team told The Athletic that the delay was FIFA’s fault. FIFA, in turn, pointed to an airline permitting problem in Mexico.

In a statement. FIFA said: “Due to an airline permitting error in Mexico. the Uruguay national team’s departure from Cancun to Miami was delayed. The airline has apologized for the inconvenience caused. FIFA remained in close contact with the Uruguay national team throughout their delay and worked alongside airport and operational partners to help expedite the process and minimize disruption to the team’s travel arrangements.”.

The Uruguayan Football Association was contacted for comment on the incident and the travel disruptions, but no response had been provided at the time of publication.

As the team prepared to play, the sniffer-dog inspection in Miami became the latest reminder that even when the sport is the headline, travel logistics can still decide how a squad arrives—when it arrives, and how hard it has to hold steady before kickoff.

Uruguay national team World Cup Miami Stadium sniffer dogs FIFA paperwork delay airline permitting issue Manuel Ugarte Ronald Araujo