Uruguay’s campaign ended with a 1-0 defeat to Spain, leaving it without a win after earlier draws against Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Marcelo Bielsa took full responsibility for Uruguay’s disappointing World Cup exit on Friday, saying his three-year spell with the national team had “left nothing behind” for Uruguayan football.

Uruguay’s campaign ended with a 1-0 defeat to Spain, leaving it without a win after earlier draws against Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde. Tournament debutant Cape Verde joined Spain in advancing from Group H.

Bielsa, whose contract with the Uruguayan Football Association runs through the World Cup and who has previously indicated he would step down after the tournament, struck a farewell tone after the defeat.

“What do I leave for Uruguayan football? Nothing,” the Argentine said.

“Any contribution a coach makes after three years only endures if there are results. Finishing fourth in the qualifiers didn’t count for much, a third-place finish in the Copa América didn’t either, and what has happened now speaks for itself.

“It was a tenure that left nothing behind.”

The 70-year-old accepted full responsibility for Uruguay’s early exit, admitting he failed to get the best out of a talented squad, while insisting the team’s performances deserved a better outcome.

“I think we deserved seven points from the three matches, but we leave with only two,” Bielsa said.

Ranked 19th in the FIFA standings, Uruguay became the highest-ranked team eliminated in the group stage so far.

It was also the second time a Bielsa-managed side failed to progress beyond the World Cup group stage, after 2002 FIFA World Cup with Argentina. His best World Cup finish came in 2010 FIFA World Cup, when he guided Chile to the round of 16.

Published on Jun 27, 2026