Marcelo Bielsa repeats 2002 World Cup failure with Uruguay
Following a defeat against Spain, Uruguay has been eliminated in the group stage, marking a repeat of Bielsa's 2002 exit with Argentina.
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Marcelo Bielsa has failed to advance past the group stage of a World Cup for the second time in his coaching career. Uruguay's defeat to Spain confirmed their elimination from the 2026 tournament, echoing a similar disappointment from 24 years ago.
Back in 2002, while managing Argentina at the tournament in South Korea and Japan, Bielsa's team was also knocked out in the opening round. That campaign included only one victory—against Nigeria—alongside a loss to England and a draw with Sweden.
In the current 2026 World Cup held across the USA, Canada, and Mexico, the outcome for the 70-year-old manager was even tougher, as Uruguay failed to secure a single win. Before the final loss to Spain, they managed only draws against Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde.
Bielsa's best finish at a World Cup remains the 2010 edition in South Africa, where he successfully guided Chile to the Round of 16 before they were eliminated by Brazil.