The organization of Copa America hasn't gone as smoothly as soccer fans would expect two years ahead of the World Cup in North America. The tournament, organized by Conmebol, the South American soccer confederation, faced significant challenges, particularly right before the final game held at Hard Rock Stadium , the home field of the Miami Dolphins.
The final, featuring Argentina (with Lionel Messi ) and Colombia, was marred by a significant delay. Fans entering the stadium without tickets caused chaos, delaying the start of the game by more than 80 minutes. The stadium administration released a statement confirming that the game would not begin until all individuals without valid tickets had left the premises.
This delay not only frustrated the fans in attendance but also disrupted television broadcasts and schedules for viewers worldwide. The incident highlighted the challenges faced by the organizers in ensuring smooth and efficient operations for such a major sporting event with international fans.
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Preparation
Copa America is the first of four significant soccer tournaments the United States will host over the next few years. In 2025, the country will host the FIFA Club World Cup on the East Coast, bringing together the top club teams from around the globe. Additionally, the Concacaf Gold Cup will be held on the West Coast, featuring national teams from North and Central America and the Caribbean.
These tournaments will serve as precursors to the biggest stage of all—the FIFA World Cup in 2026. The United States will co-host the tournament alongside Canada and Mexico. Miami is one of the key metropolitan regions set to receive games during this event, which will bring unprecedented attention and tourism to the host cities.
The issues faced during Copa America serve as a critical learning experience for the organizers. It is important to note, however, that Conmebol, which organizes Copa America, and FIFA, which oversees the World Cup, operate under different standards. FIFA's rigorous protocols and security measures will play a crucial role in ensuring that the upcoming tournaments run smoothly (at least, that's the expectation).
As the United States prepares to host these major events, the lessons learned from Copa America should inform the planning and execution strategies for future tournaments. The successful hosting of these tournaments is not just about the games themselves, but also about creating a positive experience for fans.
Copa America
The Copa America tournament is organized by Conmebol every four years with South American national teams. Usually, the confederation invites two teams from other continents to create a 12-team competition.
But for the second time in eight years, it decided to go to the United States, with its 10 national teams, plus six national teams from Concacaf — including the USMNT — mostly for financial reasons.
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