Why a disastrous Copa America should not have you worried about the 2026 World Cup in the U.S.
Don't blame U.S. Soccer for this mess.
The contrast between Euro 2024 and the Copa America could not have been any wider.
Two major international tournaments going on at the same time. One was played in front of packed stadiums with perfect playing surfaces. There was cutting-edge VAR technology and organization befitting a world-class event. The other was played in half-full NFL stadiums with sod laid over turf and officiating that would make grade-school referees cringe.
There were brawls in the stands involving Uruguay players, and then, there was the chaos in the final as thousands of unticketed fans rushed the gates at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
From the onset of the 2024 Copa America, the issues were obvious. But as fans were turned away at the stadium gates — many paid thousands on tickets — blame was being cast on the U.S. for the abysmal tournament. Others said the nation was incapable of hosting the 2026 World Cup. But saying so showed a lack of understanding about this Copa America.
Another Argentine fan criticizing the United States and CONMEBOL for the Copa América's organization:
"Crazy… Bielsa was right, it's a DISASTER. They are not a footballing country, they can't organize a World Cup."
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) July 15, 2024
The entirety of the 2024 Copa America was organized by CONMEBOL, the South American confederation. That included the venue selection, ticket prices (nosebleed seats went for $150-plus in the group stage), standards for playing surfaces, VAR technology and, yes, stadium security.
In 2016, the U.S. hosted the Copa America Centenario. It was a special edition of the tournament, and Soccer United Marketing — the marketing arm of U.S. Soccer — played a major role in the planning and organizing of the event. And according to ESPN, U.S. Soccer cleared $75 million alone by hosting the event.
In the years since, CONMEBOL’s relationship with the U.S. had deteriorated amid the DOJ indictments that implicated confederation executives. But given the struggle to find a host for the 2024 Copa America, CONMEBOL turned to the U.S. instead of canceling the tournament. This time, though, CONMEBOL would run the show and keep nearly all the money. Via ESPN:
The 2024 Copa is a joint venture between CONMEBOL and Concacaf with the two confederations splitting most of the proceeds, and U.S. Soccer set to get the aforementioned $10m, plus 5% of ticket sales. U.S. Soccer will have no role in the actual running of the tournament. There is also a sense, in theory at least, that the member associations — and not just the U.S. — should benefit from the tournament’s proceeds, which are expected to eclipse those of 2016.
That’s what brought the mess that we saw over the past month. It was a tournament with organizers that declined help from the most knowledgable parties in hopes of maximizing profit. CONMEBOL cut corners when it came to marketing the games and coordinating with local law enforcement. It didn’t require venues to have natural grass fully installed months in advance — something FIFA is requiring for the 2026 World Cup.
It’s how a stadium that has hosted Super Bowls, College Football Playoff title games, NFL games and major concerts seemed ill equipped on Sunday. CONMEBOL was simply incompetent and turned down assistance at every turn. It’s how the 2016 Copa went smoothly while 2024 became utter chaos.
When 2026 rolls around, FIFA and the U.S. organizing committee (which includes U.S. Soccer) will have a heavy hand in every aspect of the planning. Like the Olympics, the World Cup has a visible emphasis on security and crowd control. In many cases, proof of tickets are required to just get within a couple blocks of a World Cup venue. Simply put, a repeat of Sunday night’s fiasco won’t happen in 2026 because the organizers will actually care … and be prepared.
That couldn’t be said for CONMEBOL.