Fans of Colombia and Argentina will watch the 2024 Copa Sudamericana final between Argentina and Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida on July 14, 2024.
Maddie Meyer | Getty Images
Chaotic scenes at the Copa America football final between Argentina and Colombia at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday raised questions about the United States’ preparations to co-host the 2026 World Cup.
The stadium, home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins and seating more than 65,000 spectators, was packed as unticketed fans burst through the gates and climbed over safety railings and vents to enter the stadium.
Facilities and barriers were damaged, ticket-buying fans were chased from their seats by non-paying spectators, and the game was ultimately delayed for more than 80 minutes, ending with Argentina’s victory over Colombia after midnight. (A halftime show was also added for the first time this year, further extending the event.)
“There’s no question that it’s not just an embarrassment, it’s ridiculous,” said Anjali Bal, associate professor of entertainment and sports marketing at Babson College.
Miami-Dade County Commissioner Oliver Gilbert said at a news conference Monday that law enforcement is working with organizers and stadiums to ensure this type of incident never happens again.
“We have big events. Well, I’ve never seen anything like last night, and we’re not going to see that again,” Gilbert said.
An arrest sheet showed that a total of 27 people were arrested, including Colombian Football Federation president Ramón Jesurun and his son, who were accused of attacking three security guards who prevented them from entering the stadium.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said it responded to a total of 120 incidents in the stadium and surrounding area, 116 of which were medical calls.
During the 2024 Copa Sudamericana final between Argentina and Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida on July 14, 2024, a large number of fans tried to enter the stadium amid riots.
Megan Briggs | Getty Images
Lee Berke, CEO of LHB Sports, Entertainment and Media, told CNBC: “The only good thing here is that no one died, but a lot of people look like they’re in a very difficult situation and it’s completely avoidable.”
The disaster quickly raised questions about America’s preparedness for major soccer events, just two years after its global showcase.
The United States will serve as a co-host of the 2026 World Cup, joining Canada and Mexico in hosting 78 of the 104 World Cup games. The championship final is scheduled to be played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, while the once chaotic Hard Rock Stadium for the America’s Cup final will host seven games, including the third-place tie.
Chief among the criticisms was what some said was a lack of security checkpoints and perimeters to stop traffic entering the stadium.
“I don’t think the organizers of the game were properly prepared to deal with a large crowd coming into the stadium,” Burke said.
The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) lashed out at Hard Rock Stadium in a press release on Monday, saying stadium officials failed to explain safety recommendations made by the federation.
Hard Rock said it “implements and in many cases exceeds CONMEBOL’s safety recommendations.”
World Cup warm-up match
While this isn’t the first time the United States has hosted the Copa America – it first assumed hosting rights back in 2016 – the tournament is seen by many as a warm-up for the 2026 World Cup.
“It’s unfair that some people are concerned about events that happened two years later, but that’s really the only good thing I can say,” Barr said. “When you have so many issues in rehearsal, it’s hard for the production to Not a good sign.”
estimate 5000000 According to Sports Business Journal, fans are expected to travel to 16 host cities across the United States, Canada and Mexico for the 38-day event.
Burke said he believes the United States has enough capacity to handle that volume and that FIFA will handle it well.
“This country has a wealth of experience in running events; there’s probably no country on the planet that’s more skilled, their people and their organization know how to run a game and keep fans safe,” Burke said. “If you take advantage of this expertise, then I am sure the World Cup will be a great success.”
Barr noted that the unfortunate events at the Copa America tournament could provide a roadmap for success in the 2026 World Cup.
In addition to safety issues at the final, several stadiums in the United States have been criticized for issues with the turf installed at the American football fields where the games will be held before the game. Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni told reporters at a post-match press conference last month that the pitch was in poor condition and unsuitable for the players.
“If we see all the issues and now we have a team that’s dealing with the turf and a team that’s dealing with the safety issues … then I think you’re going to be able to address that,” Barr said.
