Fernando Muslera admits he ‘did not perform well’ at the 2026 World Cup after costly errors ended Uruguay’s tournament
The veteran goalkeeper's blunders against Saudi Arabia and Spain sent Uruguay home from Group H, reigniting debate over squad selection under Marcelo Bielsa.
Fernando Muslera, the 40-year-old Uruguayan goalkeeper, has publicly acknowledged that his performance during the 2026 FIFA World Cup fell well short of expectations, describing the experience as one he feels distressed about.
What went wrong in Group H
In an earlier group match against Saudi Arabia, Muslera mishandled what should have been a routine header.
The more damaging error came on June 27, 2026, in a must-win fixture against Spain in Guadalajara. Muslera’s mistake in the first half directly allowed Spain to score the only goal of the match. By halftime, at his own request, he was substituted off. Sergio Rochet came on to replace him, but the damage was done. Uruguay lost 1-0.
That result dropped Uruguay to last place in Group H, eliminating them from the tournament. It marked the second consecutive World Cup in which Uruguay failed to advance past the group stage.
Muslera later described the overall tournament as “one to forget” and admitted plainly that he “did not perform well.”
Five World Cups, one to forget
He made his international debut in 2010, the same World Cup where Uruguay finished fourth. Over the years that followed, he accumulated over 130 caps for the national team and appeared in five separate World Cup tournaments.
His club career reinforced his reputation. A long tenure at Galatasaray in Turkey made him one of the most recognizable goalkeepers in European football outside of the traditional top five leagues.
Fans and media had raised questions about his selection heading into the tournament, pointing to younger alternatives available in the squad, with Rochet being the loudest name in those conversations. His eventual appearance against Spain, at halftime, only amplified the argument that the transition should have happened sooner.
What this means for Uruguay’s future direction
Coach Marcelo Bielsa now faces pointed scrutiny over the choices made heading into this tournament. The decision to build around a 40-year-old goalkeeper, regardless of his legendary status, is the kind of call that looks defensible before a tournament and indefensible after one.
Muslera’s own acknowledgment that the tournament was one he feels distressed about, and that he did not perform well, suggests the transition to Rochet as the next No. 1 has shifted from a future consideration to an immediate necessity.