The 2024 Copa America, hosted by the United States, was supposed to be a celebration of the Americas’ love for football. However, the tournament was marred by numerous problems, leading to chaotic scenes and raising concerns for the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
One of the major issues was the poor condition of the pitches. In the opening game between Argentina and Canada, both teams complained about the state of the pitch in Atlanta. Many of the host venues were NFL stadiums that had grass pitches installed over artificial surfaces, with some turf being laid just days before the matches. Despite South American football’s governing body, Conmebol, claiming that the pitches were in good condition, Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa called them “a plague of liars.” Brazil’s Vinicius Jr also criticized the standard of the pitches and refereeing.
Refereeing controversies were another problem throughout the tournament. The Football Federation of Chile asked for referee Wilmar Roldan to be sanctioned for his “disastrous conduct” during their final group game. These controversies further added to the dissatisfaction of players and fans.
Crowd trouble was a significant issue as well. Uruguay players clashed with Colombia fans after their semi-final defeat, with the Uruguay Football Association stating that there were insufficient security measures in place. The lack of segregation between Colombian and Uruguayan fans led to the confrontation. Additionally, several ticketless fans forced their way into Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium during the final between Argentina and Colombia, causing an 80-minute delay and resulting in arrests and injuries.
Ticket prices also played a role in the poor attendance at some games. The average cost was estimated to be around $200, with certain games being even more expensive on resale sites due to dynamic ticket pricing. This high cost likely deterred many potential spectators from attending.
The chaotic scenes at the Copa America final have raised concerns for the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico. The fact that eight of the Copa America venues will also be used for the World Cup is a cause for worry. However, the Hard Rock Stadium, where the disorder occurred, has released a statement expressing their disappointment and promising to work with law enforcement to prevent such incidents in the future.
Despite the problems faced during the Copa America, the North America-based Independent Supporters Council (ISC) remains confident that the 2026 World Cup will be a safe and enjoyable event for fans. They believe that the host cities and planning committees have taken note of the issues from the Copa America and are already making preparations to address them.
In conclusion, the 2024 Copa America was far from the showpiece event it was intended to be. Poor pitches, refereeing controversies, crowd trouble, and high ticket prices all contributed to a disappointing tournament. Lessons must be learned from these failures to ensure that the 2026 World Cup lives up to expectations and provides a safe and enjoyable experience for all.