The Uruguay men’s team appeared to face another security hurdle when arriving in Miami for their opening match of the FIFA World Cup, having already had their flight from Mexico to the U.S. severely delayed by apparent paperwork issues.
A video, which made its way onto social media on Monday, purported to show the team held outside their bus—as they were preparing to take on Saudi Arabia at Miami Stadium—while security officers and sniffer dogs carefully inspect their luggage.
Many of the players are smiling while others, like Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte, appear frustrated.
While the exact location and time the video was shot are not clear from the footage, several recognizable players from the team—such as the blue-haired Ronald Araújo—can be seen during the security stop, and are dressed in the same outfits shown on broadcasts just before the match began.
The bus seen behind the players in the video features the letters “ESCOT”—the name of a Florida-based charter company which specializes in transporting large groups, including sports teams.
Newsweek has contacted the Uruguayan Football Association for comment. Newsweek has also contacted the police departments of Fort Lauderdale, where the team flew in and is based, as well as Plantation, whose officers were seen outside the team’s hotel, for comment.
Travel to US Delayed
The team, which went on to draw 1-1 against Saudi Arabia on Monday, had already encountered problems while trying to make its way to the U.S. for the match.
The squad was due to fly from Cancún, Mexico, near its training base in Playa del Carmen, to Fort Lauderdale on Sunday afternoon. But their departure was halted due to administrative issues—the FIFA-provided flight reportedly lacked the required paperwork—leaving the players stranded in Mexico as their replacement flight also faced delays.
A spokesperson for the team told The Athletic that the delay was FIFA’s fault, while FIFA blamed it on an “an airline permitting” issue.
“Due to an airline permitting error in Mexico, the Uruguay national team’s departure from Cancun to Miami was delayed. The airline has apologized for the inconvenience caused,” the organization said in a statement. “FIFA remained in close contact with the Uruguay national team throughout their delay and worked alongside airport and operational partners to help expedite the process and minimize disruption to the team’s travel arrangements.”
Heightened Security in Miami
According to a report from the station WPLG Local 10, there was heightened security at Miami Stadium for the June 15 fixture, with canine units deployed, bomb squads present and officials conducting perimeter searches and x-ray screenings of vehicles.
A “strictly enforced” drone ban is also in effect around the stadium on match days, according to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) assisting in investigations into violations both there and at other venues.
The stadium is set to host six more matches at this year’s tournament, including a June 21 fixture between Uruguay and Cabo Verde and a July 11 quarter-final game.
The sports journalist Juan Pablo Romero captured images of the hotel where the Uruguayan team appeared to be staying—based on similarities with the footage of Monday’s security check—showing a heavy police presence with multiple officers and vehicles, as well as fans gathered behind a barricade near the building.
Security Issues at the US-Hosted Tournament
Aside from Uruguay, several teams and officials have already encountered issues—often relating to travel—ahead of participating at the 2026 World Cup.
Omar Abdulkadir Artan, a veteran referee from Somalia set to officiate at the tournament, was denied entry to the U.S. last week. U.S. officials said Artan had been refused entry due to alleged criminal and terror links, which he denied, but he will still receive his full officiating fee from FIFA according to ESPN and the BBC.
Several members of the Iranian delegation were denied visas to travel to the U.S., including Iran Football Federation (FFIRI) President Mehdi Taj.
The team also relocated their planned training ground in Arizona to Mexico weeks out from the competition over similar logistical concerns.
The team’s coach told reporters that they were ordered to immediately return to Mexico after their opening match against New Zealand at Los Angeles Stadium on Monday, though it was not clear whether this directive came from FIFA or U.S. officials.
