Uruguay's campaign in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers is reportedly on the brink of elimination, prompting an examination of what has gone wrong under coach Marcelo Bielsa.
Concerns have been raised about the performance of several key players at the club level, with some failing to progress as expected. Federico Valverde, despite being a star at Real Madrid, has yet to make a significant impact in the tournament. Other players such as Rodrigo Bentancur, Manuel Ugarte, Facundo Pellistri, and Darwin Nunez have either stalled in their development or regressed, according to reports.
Despite these challenges, Bielsa is expected to maximize the team's potential. His signature high-press, suffocating style, once considered revolutionary, is now more common in the sport. Doubts about his approach have surfaced, particularly following a pre-World Cup tactical shift. Uruguay opted against warm-up games, instead focusing on intensive training that resulted in a new system featuring Valverde wide right and two strikers. This formation was abandoned at halftime during a match against Saudi Arabia, with a return to the familiar 4-3-3 system showing improvement. In subsequent matches, Uruguay created chances, but two moments of self-inflicted errors reportedly prevented them from advancing.
Beyond tactical considerations, team dynamics and personal relationships appear to be a significant factor. Reports suggest that a month spent together during the 2024 Copa America strained the dressing room. Luis Suarez, Uruguay's all-time leading scorer, publicly criticized Bielsa's perceived lack of warmth, his treatment of players, and the tense atmosphere within the camp following his retirement from international football. Notably, no players in the squad publicly contradicted Suarez's statements.
The team's struggles have led to questions about whether Bielsa's model has become too predictable for opponents. The coach himself has experimented with formations, including a brief switch to a system with Valverde wide right and two strikers, which was quickly abandoned. The return to a more conventional 4-3-3 saw improvements in chance creation, though critical errors have hindered progress.
The situation highlights a potential disconnect between Bielsa's tactical vision and the team's execution, compounded by issues within the squad's internal relationships. As the 2026 World Cup qualifiers progress, Uruguay's ability to overcome these challenges will be crucial to their tournament future.