Uruguay Men’s Team Faces Security Hurdles Before FIFA World Cup Match

The Uruguay men’s team encountered another security challenge upon arriving in Miami for their opening FIFA World Cup match, following a significant delay in their flight from Mexico due to paperwork issues.

A video surfaced on social media Monday depicting the team outside their bus, as security personnel and sniffer dogs meticulously inspected their luggage. Some players appeared cheerful, while others, such as Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte, seemed more serious.

Although the video’s exact location and time remain unclear, recognizable team members—like the blue-haired Ronald Araújo—were seen during the security check, wearing the same outfits that were visible in broadcasts before the match. Newsweek reached out to the Uruguayan Football Association for comments on both the incident and the travel delays.

The team managed a 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia but faced issues traveling to the U.S. Initially set to fly from Cancún, near their training base in Playa del Carmen, to Fort Lauderdale on Sunday afternoon, their flight was grounded due to administrative problems. The FIFA-provided flight lacked necessary paperwork, leaving the team stranded in Mexico; their subsequent flight also encountered delays.

A spokesperson informed The Athletic that FIFA was responsible for the delay, while FIFA attributed it to an airline permitting issue. FIFA released a statement explaining, “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.” The organization assured that they maintained communication with the Uruguay team throughout the delay, collaborating with airport and operational partners to expedite the process and mitigate travel disruptions.

This story is still developing, with further updates anticipated.