FIFA drop statement after flight chaos, ITV World Cup viewers furious and UEFA chief slammed

FIFA have released a statement after Uruguay’s team flight from Mexico to the United States was delayed on Sunday. The reason behind the delay was issues with paperwork for the aircraft, which meant it had not been approved to take the route from Cancun to Miami. And the Uruguayan Federation appeared to blame FIFA for the delay in a statement. They said: "Due to problems beyond the control of the AUF, the departure from Mexico has been delayed. The squad is resting at the hotel. The new departure time set by FIFA is 4.15pm.” However, responding, FIFA blamed the airline. Their statement read: "Due to an airline permitting error in Mexico, the Uruguay national team's departure from Cancun to Miami was delayed. "The airline has apologised for the inconvenience caused. FIFA remained in close contact with the Uruguay national team throughout their delay and worked alongside airport and operational partners to help expedite the process and minimise disruption to the team's travel arrangements." Uruguay have since landed in Miami and held the delayed press conference featuring coach Marcelo Bielsa and captain Jose Maria Gimenez. They kick off their World Cup campaign against Saudi Arabia tonight. JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football's Facebook page ITV viewers furious Japan hit back twice to start their World Cup campaign with an entertaining 2-2 draw against the Netherlands - but ITV viewers were not impressed. Virgil van Dijk headed the Netherlands in front six minutes into the second-half before Keito Nakamura drew his side level just before the hour mark. Crysencio Summerville then restored his side’s lead before Daichi Kamada's late header rescued a deserved point for Japan. However, viewers watching at home on Sunday night were left less than impressed by the picture quality they were getting. One wrote: “Whats with the picture quality on @ITV? Absolutely awful. Glad I'm not a football fan because I couldn't sit and watch a match like that.” Sky is knocking 20% off its entire range of Glass TVs to mark the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Until June 17, shoppers can upgrade to the Sky smart TV that's 'designed for football' from £4.50 per month when taken alongside a Sky TV and Netflix package. Another said: “The @ITV picture quality of the World Cup is awful. Should have stayed in Salford and invested in some camera technology. It’s like watching on a 24 inch Granada rental in the early 80s.” A third fumed: “@ITV what’s with the poor picture quality of your World Cup games, had to turn off watching the Japan v Dutch game giving me a headache. Same on previous matches.” Another fumed: @itvfootball belongs in the bin. The picture quality is worse than a dial up stream 20 years ago. It's literally making my eyes go funny. Awful stuff @ITV.” UEFA president slammed UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has been criticised by 13 World Cup nations after he claimed the expanded tournament had led to many matches being "uninteresting". But the football associations of Cape Verde, Curacao, Uzbekistan, DR Congo, Haiti, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Ghana, Senegal, Ivory Coast and South Africa have come together to "express their profound disappointment" at Ceferin. A statement released from them said: "We respectfully but firmly reject these comments. For our countries, there is no such thing as an unimportant World Cup match. "For Cape Verde, Curacao and Uzbekistan, qualification for the Fifa World Cup represents a historic achievement and the realisation of a dream shared by generations. "For nations such as Congo and Haiti, returning to football's biggest stage after a long absence carries a special meaning for millions of supporters who have waited years, and in some cases decades, for this moment. "To suggest that these matches are somehow less important is deeply disappointing and fails to recognise the efforts, sacrifices and aspirations of players, coaches, clubs, football leaders and supporters across the world." Iran captain takes aim at FIFA FIFA officials warned reporters to stick to sport and tactics ahead of a press conference involving Iran’s head coach Amir Ghalenoei and captain Mehdi Taremi. Iran’s involvement in these finals has been in doubt since the United States and Israeli air strikes began in February. The team moved their training base to Tijuana in Mexico in a bid to avoid visa issues, but 11 officials were still denied US visas to cross the border and attend the team’s matches. They arrived in Los Angeles on Sunday ahead of their opening against New Zealand, and Taremi said the controversy and disruption surrounding their involvement at the World Cup undermines FIFA's message of peace. “This kind of tension undermines that joy and it undermines the message of FIFA and our people, which is about football and bringing about peace,” the forward said. “I think this World Cup could have provided a better atmosphere than it has, and I hope in the future it will be better for all fans, whoever they are supporting. “It’s not just Iran that has been impacted; others have been impacted, including referees [the Somali official Omar Artan was denied entry]. I have felt the tension from the first moment we arrived at this World Cup. “Of course, we don’t have the same beautiful experience we usually talk about – peace and joy. I know several countries had visa problems and changing of training camps. The tension exists – it did before the World Cup even started. The feeling, the sensation people always have looking forward to a World Cup, I think this time they hadn’t had the same feeling.” Sweden make statement Yasin Ayari struck twice and Alexander Isak was on target as Sweden produced the performance of the tournament so far to hammer Tunisia. Viktor Gyokeres and Mattias Svanberg were also on target as Omar Rekik netted what turned out to be a consolation. Graham Potter’s side currently sit top of Group F and take on the Netherlands next on Saturday evening. Victory in that game should be enough to take Sweden into the knockout rounds. Ivory Coast leave it late Just before that game, a late goal from Amad Diallo earned the Ivory Coast a 1-0 win in their opening clash with Ecuador in Philadelphia. The South Americans struck the woodwork three times, with the Ivory Coast also rattling the bar before Amad found the bottom corner in the 90th minute. Germany await Emerse Fae’s side next, and both sides will head into the game on the back of victories after Julian Nagelsmann’s side hammered debutants Curacao in Houston. That Group E match is scheduled to take place on Saturday night. Get the latest World Cup news straight to your inbox by _signing up to our Make Football Great Again newsletter now! Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.