The AUF (Uruguayan Football Association) released a note this Sunday (June 28, 2026) to explain the logistics of the delegation’s return after being eliminated in the group stage of the . The statement was published after, in a publication on X, that the entity had canceled the team’s chartered plane. Read it in Spanish (PDF – 3 mB).
The AUF decided to cancel the charter. Each footballer will return on commercial flights.
— Martin Charquero (@MartinCharquero)
According to AUF, the outbound flight was chartered because of the size of the delegation, with more than 150 people, and the need to transport around 5 tons of luggage and equipment.
The entity stated that the return was never planned on a chartered plane because the boarding location would depend on the team’s campaign in the tournament. He also declared that part of the delegation will go directly to the countries where they reside to re-introduce themselves to the clubs.
With the reduction in the number of passengers, the remaining members of the delegation will travel this Sunday (June 28, 2026) on commercial flights. According to AUF, this is the fastest and most efficient way to reach final destinations. Arrival is scheduled for Monday (June 29, 2026), in separate groups.
Read the note:
“The Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) informs about the logistics of the return of the national delegation after the end of its participation in the first phase of the 2026 World Cup.
“The outward journey required an exclusive charter flight due to the size of the delegation (more than 150 people) and the need to transport more than 5,000 kg of luggage and equipment.
“As planned from the beginning, the return trip never considered the option of a chartered flight, as the starting point for the return was unknown.
“At the end of the competition, a high percentage of the delegation travels directly to their countries of residence abroad to rejoin their respective clubs.
“For this reason, with the number of passengers significantly reduced, the remaining members of the official delegation will begin their return home tomorrow, June 28, on commercial flights, as this is the fastest and most efficient way to reach their respective destinations. They will arrive on Monday in different groups.”
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