Uruguay heads to the World Cup with a send-off and a setback: Arrascaeta out for the opening games

The Celeste delegation left Montevideo on Tuesday night bound for Mexico, where they will complete their preparations

The Uruguayan national team left Montevideo on Tuesday night bound for Playa del Carmen, Mexico, where they will be based throughout the World Cup. The send-off drew fans to Carrasco Airport, who brought flags and percussion instruments to bid farewell to the players — who returned the affection by posing for photos and signing shirts.

The build-up has not been without its complications. Arrascaeta picked up an injury and will not be available for the team's opening fixtures at the tournament, although the Uruguayan federation has ruled out a permanent call-up withdrawal. Uruguay also chose not to play any friendlies in the final days before departure.

The squad is in Group H alongside Spain, Saudi Arabia, and Cape Verde. Their opening match is against Saudi Arabia on June 15 in Miami. According to the Golmetria model, Uruguay have an 85.06% probability of advancing from the group stage, with a 22.23% chance of finishing as group leaders. The market, meanwhile, puts the adjusted implied probability of Uruguay lifting the title at 1.35% — below the 2.02% calculated by the model.