Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa has called for calm after his team’s 5-1 defeat to the USA.
Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa has spoken about the “shame” he feels following his team’s 5-1 thrashing by the USA in a friendly match.
The defeat has raised concerns ahead of the 2026 World Cup, but Bielsa is seeking to restore calm and maintain focus on the upcoming tournament.
Bielsa held a press conference to address the defeat, where he explained that he had spoken at length with Uruguay’s sporting director Jorge Giordano and federation president Ignacio Alonso. The discussions aimed to reassure the team and the public that the project remains on track.
The Argentine manager acknowledged that the result was unacceptable, saying, “Losing 5-1 is certainly not something that can be ignored. There’s a term for it that’s meant to be private, but one feels ashamed when results like this occur.” Despite this, he’s received backing from the federation.
Bielsa emphasized that the project will continue as planned until the World Cup, stating, “From the conversation… the conclusion is that the project will continue exactly as planned until the World Cup.”
Uruguay qualified for the 2026 World Cup in September, finishing fourth in South American qualifying. The team is gearing up for the tournament, which will be held in Canada, Mexico, and the United States from June 11th to July 19th.
