Uruguay picks Playa del Carmen for 2026 World Cup base

Playa del Carmen, Mexico — The Uruguay National Team has officially confirmed through its social media channels that it will establish its operations base in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, for the 2026 World Cup.

This decision represents a potential logistical conflict with the Portugal national team, which according to press reports, had as its main objective to establish itself in the same location in the Riviera Maya.

The choice of a training camp base is a fundamental pillar in the planning of any national team for a World Cup. In this logistical chessboard, the Uruguay National Team has moved a key piece by announcing that its operations center for the 2026 World Cup will be in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo.

Official Announcement via Social Media

The Uruguayan National Team used its official X account (@Uruguay) to put an end to speculation and make the formal announcement with a clear and direct message:

“FIFA confirmed our operational base for the World Cup: Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽”

Portugal National Team Had Also Leaned Toward Playa del Carmen

The news gains greater relevance, as this decision comes amid reports that indicated strong interest from the Portugal national team, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, to establish its “bunker” in that same coveted tourist area.

The importance of the Uruguayan announcement lies in the official status granted by FIFA’s confirmation. By securing its base camp in advance, Uruguay gains a significant strategic advantage in terms of preparation and stability.

Despite its group stage matches being played in the United States, the Portugal national team had set its sights on the Riviera Maya. According to information published by Infobae, the Portuguese Football Federation intended to convert the Fairmont Mayakoba hotel, located precisely in Playa del Carmen, into its exclusive operations base.

The factors that made this location such an attractive option were privacy, its first-class facilities, and geographical proximity to its match venues: Houston is just over two hours by flight and Miami just over an hour. With Uruguay’s official announcement, this plan is now in a vulnerable position.

The Uruguayan confirmation redefines the logistical map of the national teams that chose the Mexican Caribbean for their preparation. For the Portugal team, the implications are direct. With Uruguay officially establishing itself in Playa del Carmen, the delegation led by Cristiano Ronaldo will have to clarify its situation and evaluate whether it will concentrate in the other option in the Mexican Caribbean authorized to host World Cup teams: the Moon Palace complex, which belongs to Cancún.