U.S. Visa Issues Spark Controversy Again: Uruguay Team Delayed Over Documentation

The Uruguay national football team reportedly faced delays in entering the United States for their opening match of the FIFA 2026 World Cup due to visa issues, drawing fresh criticism toward the U.S. for its strict visa policies and FIFA for its perceived passive response.

According to the U.S. newspaper USA Today on June 15 (KST), the Uruguayan team was scheduled to depart from their training base in the Mexican resort city of Cancun for Miami, Florida, to face Saudi Arabia in their Group H opener on June 16 at 7:00 a.m.

However, the flight was delayed due to issues with documentation required for entry into the U.S., which consequently led to the postponement of head coach Marcelo Bielsa's official press conference.

While FIFA stated that the flight delay was caused by technical issues, such as flight operation permits in Mexico, a spokesperson for the Uruguayan team—who spent most of the day before the match stranded at their hotel waiting to board—claimed that the responsibility for the travel delay due to paperwork issues lies with FIFA.

Uruguay is included in the U.S. government's list of countries with restricted visa issuance, requiring Uruguayan travelers to undergo rigorous background checks and entry screenings by the U.S. Department of State to visit the country.

If the claims made by the Uruguayan team official are correct, it suggests that FIFA failed to coordinate procedures with the U.S. government in advance regarding the entry of players from participating nations.

Uruguay is scheduled to play against Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde on June 22 at Miami Stadium, followed by their final group stage match against Spain at Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico on June 27.

The case of the Uruguayan team is a continuation of recent entry issues faced by tournament personnel entering the United States.

Somali football referee Omar Artan was denied entry into the U.S. on the grounds that he was "linked to individuals suspected of being members of a terrorist organization."

Although Iran found some relief through a prior agreement with the U.S., only four members of their support staff, excluding the national team players, were granted permission to set foot on U.S. soil.

The U.S. also denied entry to Jibril Rajoub, president of the Palestinian Football Association.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.