Uruguay Left Shattered After World Cup Exit, Bielsa's Future in Doubt

Uruguay have been eliminated from the 2026 World Cup after a 1-0 loss to Spain, ending a tournament that was billed as a major opportunity for Marcelo Bielsa's team. The defeat capped what Uruguayan media described as a humiliation, with the national side failing to reach the knockout stage for the second straight World Cup and becoming the only South American team not to win a match.

Local coverage in El Observador blasted Bielsa's approach, arguing that his insistence on possession and high pressing was a naive break from the traditions of Uruguay's strongest teams. The paper said Bielsa had promised control of the ball and delivered none of it. Bielsa is now not expected to remain in charge.

After the match, Jose Maria Gimenez was said to be speechless, while Darwin Nunez and Rodrigo Bentancur tried unsuccessfully to console their teammates. Bielsa admitted, “I leave nothing behind,” adding, “I tried to wake players up, I failed. I worked for three years and we achieved nothing. Third place in the Copa America is worthless, this World Cup is worthless.”

Bielsa also revealed that Fernando Muslera asked to be taken off at halftime after a disastrous group stage, and the 40-year-old goalkeeper is likely to be the first major change. Possible replacements mentioned were Sergio Rochet of Internacional and Franco Israel of Torino, who was not called up for the tournament. Muslera, speaking to reporters, took responsibility after five errors that led directly to goals, saying, “I am not going to hide. I apologize to an entire country.” Gimenez summed up the mood in the dressing room: “We are all sad. The locker room is shattered.”