Uruguay sit on the verge of exiting the 2026 World Cup after a dismal group stage, and coach Marcelo Bielsa has shouldered the blame. The 70‑year‑old manager admitted his side have earned just two points from a possible six, a stark drop from the attacking flair that once defined his tenure. Early hopes of a resurgence have evaporated, leaving fans questioning the project.

The collapse began after a brilliant qualifying run that saw Uruguay defeat Argentina on the road and outscore every South American rival. A bruising 5‑1 defeat to the United States in November and a half‑hearted draw with England at Wembley exposed a squad whose key figures – Valverde, Bentancur, Ugarte, Pellistri and Núñez – have stalled at club level. Bielsa’s high‑press system, once revolutionary, now looks predictable.

Tensions off the pitch boiled over when Luis Suárez retired, denouncing Bielsa’s cold demeanor and a strained locker room. A public spat with winger Agustín Canobbio highlighted a “toxic perfectionist” atmosphere that the coach himself admitted. With Bielsa set to leave after the tournament, Uruguay must rediscover cohesion if they hope to advance beyond the last‑32.