Copa America 2024 Final: Chaos Erupts at Hard Rock Stadium, Raising Questions About US Preparedness for 2026 World Cup
The Incident
On July 14, 2024, the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 Final match between Argentina and Colombia ended in chaos at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The stadium, home of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, was overwhelmed when non-ticketed fans rushed the gates, causing damage to facilities and barriers. The game was delayed by over 80 minutes, and the halftime show was added, extending the event even further.
Eyewitness Accounts
Anjali Bal, associate professor of entertainment and sports marketing at Babson College, described the scene as "absurd." Miami-Dade Commissioner Oliver Gilbert said that law enforcement is working with promoters and the stadium to ensure that the incident doesn’t happen again. A total of 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.
Investigation and Reactions
The South American Football Confederation, CONMEBOL, blasted Hard Rock Stadium in a press release, saying that stadium officials failed to account for the safety recommendations made by the confederation. Hard Rock Stadium responded by saying that it "implemented, and in many cases exceeded, CONMEBOL’s security recommendations."
Implications for the 2026 World Cup
The Copa America 2024 Final incident has raised concerns about the United States’ preparedness for the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament will feature 78 matches in the US, including the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Hard Rock Stadium will host seven games, including the third-place match.
Expert Analysis
Lee Berke, CEO of LHB Sports, Entertainment & Media, criticized the lack of security checkpoints and an outer perimeter to stop the flow of traffic into the stadium. "I think the organizers of the tournament didn’t prepare properly for handling large-scale crowds to be funneled into the stadium," Berke said.
World Cup Warm-up
The Copa America 2024 Final was seen as a warm-up for the 2026 World Cup. An estimated 5 million fans are expected to travel to the 16 host cities across the US, Canada, and Mexico for the 38 days of the tournament. Berke believes that the US is well-equipped to handle the volume and that FIFA will run the show well.
Conclusion
The Copa America 2024 Final incident serves as a wake-up call for the 2026 World Cup. The US needs to address the security concerns and ensure that fans are safe and secure. The tournament organizers must also work to improve the overall experience for fans.
FAQs
Q: What happened during the Copa America 2024 Final?
A: Non-ticketed fans rushed the gates, causing damage to facilities and barriers, and the game was delayed by over 80 minutes.
Q: How many arrests were made?
A: A total of 27 arrests were made, including that of Colombia’s soccer federation president Ramón Jesurún and his son.
Q: What are the implications for the 2026 World Cup?
A: The incident has raised concerns about the United States’ preparedness for the 2026 World Cup, particularly in terms of security and crowd management.
Q: What is the expected attendance for the 2026 World Cup?
A: An estimated 5 million fans are expected to travel to the 16 host cities across the US, Canada, and Mexico for the 38 days of the tournament.
Q: Who will be responsible for running the 2026 World Cup?
A: FIFA will be responsible for running the 2026 World Cup, and the US, Canada, and Mexico will co-host the tournament.
Author: www.cnbc.com
Orginal Source link