Where has it gone wrong for Bielsa's struggling Uruguay?

With Uruguay possibly on the brink of elimination from the 2026 World Cup, BBC Sport looks at what has gone wrong for them under colourful coach Marcelo Bielsa.

Uruguay, a two-time World Cup winner, is facing the real possibility of missing out on the 2026 tournament. Under the charismatic but demanding Marcelo Bielsa, the team has struggled to find consistency, leaving fans and pundits questioning what has gone wrong. Bielsa's high-intensity style demands immense physical output from his players. However, Uruguay's squad depth is limited, with aging stars like Luis Suárez and Edinson Cavani past their peak, and younger talents yet to fully step up. The relentless pressing and fast transitions that Bielsa favors worked well initially, but as the qualifiers progressed, fatigue and injuries took a toll, leading to erratic results. Defensively, Uruguay has been surprisingly vulnerable. Despite having world-class defenders like Ronald Araújo and José María Giménez, the team's defensive organization has been poor. Bielsa's attacking philosophy often leaves the backline exposed to counterattacks, and the midfield's inability to shield the defense has compounded the problem. In recent defeats to Brazil and Argentina, defensive lapses proved costly. Bielsa's squad selection and rotation have also drawn criticism. He frequently changes the starting lineup, preventing the team from building chemistry. Some in-form players have been overlooked, while veterans struggle to maintain intensity for 90 minutes. Reports of discontent in the dressing room have emerged, with players unhappy about the grueling training sessions and Bielsa's rigid tactics. Offensively, Uruguay has underperformed, scoring far fewer goals than expected. Bielsa's system relies on constant movement from wingers and forwards, but the team lacks a reliable finisher. Suárez and Cavani's declining sharpness has been evident, while Darwin Núñez and other young forwards have yet to adapt to Bielsa's demands. Looking ahead, Uruguay's path to the World Cup is precarious. They currently sit seventh in the South American standings, four points off the automatic qualification spots. With tough matches against Ecuador and Colombia remaining, time is running out. If Bielsa cannot quickly address the tactical and morale issues, Uruguay may miss the World Cup for the first time since 2006. In conclusion, Bielsa's Uruguay is at a crossroads. His passion and idealism once inspired hope, but reality has exposed the gap between his philosophy and the squad's capabilities. The Uruguayan Football Federation's decision on whether to stick with Bielsa will be crucial in determining the team's future.

Where has it gone wrong for Bielsa's struggling Uruguay?

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