Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa criticised after early World Cup 2026 exit

Uruguay were eliminated in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup after a 2‑0 loss to Spain, finishing with only two points from matches against Spain, Saudi Arabia and Costa Rica. The team’s disappointing performance sparked a wave of criticism aimed at Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa, who commands a salary of around €4 million a year, making him the highest‑paid coach in South America at the time. Uruguay’s leading daily El País ran a front‑page headline calling the exit “the biggest failure in Uruguay’s World Cup history” and labelled the wage a “waste of millions.” Bielsa publicly accepted responsibility, stating he was “the first accountable for this defeat.” The criticism extended to tactical choices, such as the replacement of veteran goalkeeper Fernando Muslera and the omission of nine players from the tournament squad. Reports also highlighted internal tensions within the Uruguay camp, with several players demanding a special meeting to voice grievances over intense training, injuries and fatigue.