Uruguay’s 2026 World Cup campaign ended exactly how nobody in Montevideo wanted: last place in Group H, zero wins, and a coaching legacy in tatters.
Former Uruguay head coach Sergio Markarián has publicly criticized Marcelo Bielsa’s tactical decisions during the tournament, zeroing in on substitution choices and what he characterized as a conservative gameplan that left Uruguay chasing outcomes rather than creating them.
What went wrong for La Celeste
Uruguay’s group stage run was a masterclass in how to squander potential. The team drew against Saudi Arabia, drew against Cape Verde, and lost 0-1 to Spain on June 27, 2026. Three matches, zero victories, tournament over.
For a squad that finished fourth in World Cup qualifying and third at the Copa América, the result was jarring. Bielsa himself acknowledged as much, stating that he left “nothing” to Uruguayan football after his three-year tenure at the helm.
