Copa chaos raises concerns for 2026 World Cup
The chaotic scenes at the Copa America final have raised serious questions for the organisers of the 2026 World Cup which will be held in North America. The start of Sunday's final between Colombia and Argentina at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium was delayed by 82 minutes as overwhelmed security struggled to process the safe entry fans into the stadium. Organisers blamed ticketless fans for rushing the entry points into the venue for their decision to keep the gates closed for almost three hours after the planned opening time. But, while there was plenty of evidence of ticketless fans entering, it was also clear that the security system was unable to cope. Some fans needed medical attention for heat exhaustion after being stuck in the crush around the fencing at the entrance to the 65,000 capacity venue amid alarming scenes. Hard Rock Stadium will host seven games at the 2026 World Cup which the USA is co-hosting with Mexico and Canada. The Copa America was organised by South American confederation CONMEBOL while the World Cup will be controlled by global governing body FIFA and it's local organisation. "This is not a good look," said former USA international Alexi Lalas, now a leading television pundit for Fox Sports. "I understand this is not a good look for CONMEBOL and this is also, because it is happening on our watch, in our country, not a good look for the US less than two years out from the World Cup," he said. FIFA, who had no role in the running of the Copa, did not immediately comment on the incidents but sources indicated they would now intensify discussions with stadiums over their security plans. (AFP)