The USA co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup has sparked significant backlash and doubt because of the poor security management in the 2024 Copa America final.
What happened?
Argentina emerged victorious with a 1-0 win against Colombia in the Copa America final, which was delayed for over an hour due to crowd issues on Sunday, July 14.
Meanwhile, before the game, fans breached security gates at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, one of the venues for the 2026 World Cup.
People with tickets and those without were stuck behind the gates close to the scheduled 8 p.m. kickoff time before players took to the pitch at about 8:38 p.m. to begin pre-match warm-up.
Videos shared on social media captured fans in Colombia’s colors scaling security railings, and evading police and stadium staff as the situation escalated.
People were injured due to the rampage and several individuals required medical attention and sought relief from the intense South Florida heat during the incident according to reports.
It was estimated that more than 65,000 fans were at the stadium for the championship match of the South American and North American joint tournament. However, it was unclear if all the fans who rushed to get in had tickets for the match.
The governing body of South America, CONMEBOL, had issued a statement the day before, warning that only fans with tickets would be allowed into the parking lot of the venue.
Miami-Dade County’s police department released a statement on the day of the match, stating that there were “several incidents” before the gates opened at the stadium.
The chaos in the Copa America final on USA soil was reportedly due to fans’ unruly behavior
A County police department statement highlighted that the chaotic scenes at the 2024 Copa America final were due to unruly behaviours of fans trying to enter the stadium without tickets.
Meanwhile, officers succeeded in pushing the crowd behind black gates and locking down the entrance so that no one could get inside, although many fans with tickets had already made it to their seats before then.
Nevertheless, it is thought that the chaos and injuries stemming from the rampage were largely a result of inadequate planning and negligent security management.
Inside the gate, a young fan in an Argentina jersey was allowed entry, visibly upset and crying, while a man and a police officer attempted to console him.
Complaints that doubt USA competence of hosting the 2026 World Cup events
The fact that fans were left struggling to breathe and deprived of essential resources like water during a game is unacceptable and indicative of the incompetence of the organizers.
If they can’t handle a single game, it’s doubtful if they can be trusted to manage an entire tournament on such a global scale.
Meanwhile, there’s a report of an Argentina fan, Claudio, who highlights the abysmal security provisions in the USA, calling into question their ability to host the 2026 World Cup.
Claudio said in Spanish: “They can’t organize a World Cup! It’s impossible. People stuck against the gate for hours, unable to breathe. There was a senior citizen, look at him, look at him (motioning at his young son), left without water. No water, nothing.”
The safety and well-being of players and fans must be the top priority, and based on Claudio’s experience, it is clear that the USA falls short of providing adequate security measures.
Coaches’ and players’ complaints
Moreover, the final match of the 32-game tournament was overshadowed by a series of issues that had been building up throughout the competition.
From complaints about the playing surfaces to criticisms of officials and worries about player safety, tensions were running high.
The trouble started after the opening match on June 20, when Argentina defeated Canada at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Both teams were quick to voice their dissatisfaction with the grass field that had replaced the usual artificial turf. Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez went as far as calling the field a “disaster,” while Canada defender Kamal Miller described it as feeling hollow.
These complaints were echoed by other teams and coaches throughout the tournament, with concerns about the playing surface only escalating as the games went on.
Uruguay and Argentina managers speak on the poor security measures
Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa criticized both the USA and CONMEBOL for their handling of Copa America 2024, as well as the security measures put in place to ensure the success of the tournament.
Following their defeat to Colombia in the semi-finals, Darwin Nunez and Ronald Araujo of La Celeste were caught in a scuffle with fans of Los Cafeteros in the stands.
Bielsa stood up for his team, arguing that the security protocols were inadequate for an event of this magnitude. He stated, “The players reacted in the same way any person would in that situation. If you witness an attack on your loved ones and have no way to escape, what would you do?”
In a press conference held the day before the final, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni reiterated his earlier comments about the poor quality of the field in Atlanta. He explained that the team had chosen not to dwell on the issue further as they didn’t want it to be seen as an excuse for their performance.
As the final match loomed, the controversy surrounding the playing surface was just one of many issues that had plagued the tournament, leaving both teams and officials on edge.
Our Suggestion on USA hosting the 2026 World Cup Events
Given the security issues experienced at the Copa America final, it may be concerning to some whether the USA would be able to effectively secure stadiums for the World Cup.
The breach of security gates by fans and the chaos that ensued indicate a potential vulnerability in security measures.
To address these concerns, it would be important for organizers of the World Cup to carefully review and enhance security protocols, ensure adequate staffing and coordination with law enforcement agencies, and implement measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring.
