The unrest at the Copa America tournament has cast uncertainty on the United States' preparedness to host the 2026 World Cup.

• At the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, the Copa America soccer match between Argentina and Colombia on Sunday was marked by disarray.
• The 2026 World Cup co-hosting by the United States is raising questions about its readiness.
• In 2026, the U.S. will host 78 out of the 104 World Cup matches as a co-host alongside Canada and Mexico.

The 2026 World Cup co-hosting by the United States is being questioned due to the chaotic scenes during the Copa America soccer final between Argentina and Colombia on Sunday at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

The Miami Dolphins' stadium, with a capacity of over 65,000 spectators, was overwhelmed when non-ticketed fans rushed the gates, climbing through security railings and air vents to gain entry.

The game between Argentina and Colombia was delayed by more than 80 minutes due to damage to facilities and barriers, as well as non-paying crowds boxing out ticketed fans from their seats. The halftime show was also added this year, making the event even longer. Ultimately, Argentina emerged victorious.

Anjali Bal, a Babson College associate professor of entertainment and sports marketing, stated that it was not just an embarrassment, but also absurd.

At a press conference on Monday, Miami-Dade Commissioner Oliver Gilbert stated that law enforcement is collaborating with promoters and the stadium to prevent a recurrence of the incident.

"Last night, I witnessed something incredible, and it won't happen again," Gilbert remarked.

According to the arrest form, 27 arrests were made, including that of Colombia's soccer federation president Ramón Jesurún and his son, who were accused of attacking three security guards who stopped them from accessing the field.

At the stadium and its surrounding area, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue handled a total of 120 incidents, with 116 of those being for medical purposes.

LHB Sports, Entertainment & Media CEO Lee Berke stated on CNBC that while nobody died, many people appeared to be in a difficult state, and the situation could have been avoided.

The soccer event debacle raised concerns about the US' readiness for major events, only two years before the global showcase.

In 2026, the U.S. will host 78 out of 104 World Cup matches as a co-host alongside Canada and Mexico. The tournament final will take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, while Hard Rock Stadium, where the Copa final was chaotic, will host seven games, including the third-place match.

Some argue that the stadium's security measures were inadequate, specifically the absence of checkpoints and an outer barrier to control the influx of visitors.

Berke stated that the tournament organizers were not adequately prepared to manage large crowds entering the stadium.

On Monday, CONMEBOL criticized Hard Rock Stadium in a press release, accusing stadium officials of not implementing the safety recommendations provided by the South American Football Confederation.

CONMEBOL's security recommendations were implemented and exceeded by Hard Rock.

World Cup warm-up

The 2021 Copa America, hosted by the United States, was viewed as a precursor to the 2026 World Cup.

"The event that will occur in two years is being unfairly blamed for some fears, but that's the only positive aspect, according to Bal. The numerous issues that arose during the dress rehearsal do not indicate a successful production."

According to Sports Business Journal, approximately 5 million fans are predicted to journey to the 16 tournament cities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico for the 38-day event.

Berke believes the US is capable of managing the volume and FIFA will execute it effectively.

"The World Cup is certain to be successful if the expertise of this country in event running is tapped into, as it is the most skilled country on Earth in this area, with the people and organizations in place to run games and keep fans safe."

The mishaps in the Copa tournament could serve as a guide to ensuring the success of the 2026 World Cup.

The turf in American football stadiums hosting the tournament was criticized for its poor condition, with Lionel Scaloni, the coach of the Argentinian national team, stating that the fields were unsuitable for players during a post-match press conference last month.

Bal stated that if we view the situation as having teams dedicated to addressing turf and security issues, we can resolve the problem.