Uruguay Choose Playa del Carmen, Mexico, as Their Training Base for the 2026 World Cup

The Uruguay national football team have officially confirmed that they will be based in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, during the FIFA World Cup. The decision, presented by the coaching staff led by Marcelo Bielsa, has already been approved by FIFA as Uruguay’s official training and concentration site for the tournament.

This move further strengthens Mexico’s role in the 2026 World Cup, not only as a host nation for matches but also as a key operational hub for international teams during the competition. The Asociación Uruguaya de Fútbol evaluated five potential cities before making its final choice. Options in the United States such as Tampa, Atlanta, Boca Raton, and Austin were considered, but Mexico ultimately prevailed due to its facilities and logistical advantages.

Playa del Carmen will allow Uruguay to operate efficiently throughout the World Cup. The city offers top-level infrastructure for accommodation, training, physical recovery, and rest, all within a single location—an important factor for maintaining competitive rhythm during a demanding tournament.

Uruguay’s base of operations will be the Fairmont Mayakoba, a five-star resort located in the Riviera Maya. The complex provides spacious facilities, privacy, and high-end amenities, making it ideal for a long-term training camp at the highest level of international football.

From Playa del Carmen, Uruguay will benefit from short flights to its match venues. The Celeste will open their World Cup campaign on June 15 against Saudi Arabia in Miami, face Cape Verde on June 21, also in Miami, and close the group stage on June 26 against Spain in Guadalajara.

The choice of Playa del Carmen highlights a growing trend among national teams to prioritize proximity, climate, and recovery conditions when selecting their World Cup bases. By settling in Mexico, Uruguay joins several other nations that have identified the country as a strategic and high-performance location for the 2026 tournament.