The 2024 Copa America, intended to be a celebration of football in the Americas, turned into a near disaster, according to the Argentine newspaper Ole.
Hosted by the United States in some of the world’s premier stadiums, the tournament faced numerous issues, including poor pitches, half-empty stadiums, and crowd disturbances, culminating in chaotic scenes during the final on Sunday.
The final match between Argentina and Colombia at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium was delayed by 80 minutes after ticketless fans forced their way inside.
Several arrests were made following clashes with police and security personnel, and multiple supporters required medical attention. This disruption cast a shadow over what was supposed to be a highlight event and raised concerns ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which the US will co-host with Canada and Mexico.
Argentine media outlet Todo Noticias labeled the event a “world-class failure,” citing high ticket prices as a significant factor. The average ticket cost was about $200 (£155), with some tickets even higher on US resale sites due to dynamic pricing.
What Went Wrong at the Copa America Final?
Prior to the final, Colombia coach Nestor Lorenzo had already criticized the plan for Colombian pop star Shakira to perform a 25-minute halftime show, extending the usual 15-minute interval. Conmebol issued a statement ensuring that only ticket holders would be allowed onto the stadium campus before the 20:00 local time kickoff.
However, as kickoff approached, a stadium spokesperson revealed that thousands of ticketless fans had attempted to forcibly enter the 65,000-capacity stadium. Video footage showed fans breaching stadium gates, climbing perimeter walls and fences, and even entering through ventilation ducts.
A stadium statement later explained that gates were “closed and re-opened strategically” as some fans continued to engage in illegal activities, including fighting police officers, breaking down walls and barricades, and vandalizing the stadium. With overcrowding outside the stadium and fans waiting in 31C heat, officials made a temporary decision to allow fans in without scanning tickets to prevent stampedes and serious injuries. Once the threat was mitigated, the gates were closed, leaving the venue at capacity and unable to reopen.
Players’ families were also caught in the chaos, with Argentina coach Scaloni expressing his distress: “We had to start a match without knowing where our family members were. It was very weird.”
The match, which started more than an hour late, extended into extra time and included the halftime show, concluding at 00:09 local time.
Impact on Future Events
Eight of the Copa America venues, including the Hard Rock Stadium, are set to host matches in the 2026 World Cup. The stadium management stated they would work with law enforcement to identify those responsible for the disorder and review security processes to prevent a recurrence. Despite having more than double the number of law enforcement officers and security personnel compared to regular sellout events, issues persisted.
“We understand there are disappointed ticket holders who were not able to enter the stadium after the perimeter was closed, and we will work in partnership with Conmebol to address those individual concerns,” the statement read. “Ultimately, there is nothing more important than the health and safety of all guests and staff, and that will always remain our priority.”
While Conmebol is responsible for the Copa America, the World Cup is organized by FIFA. The North America-based Independent Supporters Council (ISC) expressed confidence that the 2026 World Cup will welcome fans “safely and adequately.”
The ISC’s statement added: “While Copa America highlighted serious issues that could occur and make people apprehensive about making the journey to North America, we trust that the host cities and planning committees have taken note of those issues and are already anticipating and planning accordingly.” Conmebol and FIFA have been approached for comment.
Reported By BBC Sports.
