Bielsa Cancels 18:45 Media Session as Arabie Saoudite – Uruguay Slips 3-4 Hours

Uruguay’s trip to Miami for arabie saoudite – uruguay slipped by three to four hours after its charter flight from Cancun ran into an authorization delay. Marcelo Bielsa and captain José Maria Giménez canceled their 18:45 pre-match appearance at Hard Rock Stadium and the delegation was expected in Miami around 20:00 local time.

Hard Rock Stadium schedule

Bielsa and Giménez had been set to appear at Hard Rock Stadium at 18:45 before the delay changed the team’s schedule. The delegation was then to go straight to the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale West hotel after leaving Miami airport.

FIFA arrival window

The flight needed authorization to move from Mexico to the United States, and that clearance had not been granted when the case was reviewed by U.S. authorities. Uruguay was scheduled to play Saudi Arabia in its first 2026 World Cup match, and the late arrival left the delegation at risk of a FIFA fine because teams are required to arrive at least 24 hours before the match.

Cancun to Miami delay

The hold-up came on the team’s trip from Cancun, Mexico, to Miami, Florida, before the opening group-stage match. For Uruguay, the immediate consequence was a disrupted pre-match routine and a cancelled press conference, with the schedule already pushed back before the squad reached its hotel.