The Copa-Finale in Miami barely avoided disaster
Before the Copa America final in Miami, chaos: Fans breach barriers, some require medical attention. Argentina's victory becomes secondary. This also raises concerns for the 2026 World Cup. Two years before the World Cup, major issues surface.
Chaotic scenes around the Copa America final in Miami have raised security concerns for the 2026 Soccer World Cup. The final match between Argentina and Colombia (1:0 after extra time) at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami began with alarming fan behavior and fans breaking through security barriers, causing more than an hour's delay. The stadium in Miami Gardens is also the venue for the upcoming World Cup.
Social media videos showed mostly Colombian fans jumping over security fences near the southwestern entrance and running past security personnel. Screams could be heard in the background, and fans were shown being squeezed in the crowded heat of South Florida and asking for water. Some were attempting to climb through the ventilation systems to enter the arena.
"To be clear: This situation should not have happened and cannot happen again," the Associated Press quoted the city of Miami stating in a press release. An immediate investigation into the events was announced, with authorities and organizers aiming to prevent future occurrences.
Problems persist at Copa
Security personnel managed to push the crowds back and close the gates, preventing anyone else from entering. Subsequently, some people were readmitted, only for frustrated fans to break through the barriers again. The Hard Rock Stadium operators also released a statement, stating that "thousands of fans without tickets attempted to forcefully enter the stadium."
"There was a serious concern that fans could be crushed as they tried to enter the stadium," the stadium operators further stated. Law enforcement and security personnel were immediately deployed throughout the stadium and the surrounding area to protect fans in the face of this unprecedented situation.
Initially, it was unclear if more than 65,000 fans were actually in the sold-out arena. The police reported chaotic conditions and cited "defiant fan behavior" as a contributing factor to the escalating situation.
The Copa America, held in the United States, faced issues not only during the final match but also with regards to organization. The participating teams complained about the condition and size of the fields. They criticized last-minute rule changes and the lack of protection for spectators. Uruguay players Darwin Nuñez and Ronald Araujo, following their semifinal loss to Colombia, climbed onto the pitch out of concern for their families and caused unsightly scenes.
Despite the chaotic scenes at the Copa America final in Miami, soccer superstar Lionel Messi led Argentina to a 1-0 victory over Colombia. These incidents have further emphasized the importance of addressing security concerns ahead of the 2026 Soccer World Cup, which will also be held in the United States of America, with Miami as one of the hosting cities.
