Uruguay’s football federation (AUF) has canceled the team’s chartered flight home in a drastic punishment after their failure to progress from the group stage at the 2026 World Cup. The humiliation was compounded when the goalkeeper subbed himself off during the tournament, a move that laid bare the squad’s dysfunction.
The decision came as the first ever round of 32 in World Cup history began across North America, with 48 nations split into 12 groups for the first time. The top two sides from each group and the eight best third‑place teams qualified for the knockout phase, which kicked off in Los Angeles where co-hosts Canada faced South Africa.
“Uruguay cancel team flight home after group-stage exit; goalkeeper subs himself off in act of defiance.”
Croatia edged Ghana 2-1 in their final group match, with Nikola Vlasic scoring a last‑gasp winner. Ghana’s defeat condemned them to third place in Group L, while England secured a much‑improved second‑half performance against Panama, with Harry Kane making history and Jude Bellingham delivering a complete display.
The tournament has expanded to 104 matches, 40 more than in Qatar 2022. Mexico and Canada each host 13 games, while the United States stages 78. From the quarter‑finals onwards, all matches will be played in the US, culminating in the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are expected to play on this stage for the last time in their glittering careers, adding emotional weight to the contest. England’s new golden generation, Argentina’s defending champions, France’s relentless depth and Spain’s evolving young side all have strong claims to glory.
With the knockout stages now under way, the question of who will lift the trophy is already heating up.