Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia delayed after crowd issues
Associated PressJul 20
Argentina Wins Copa America in Final Marred by Crowd Chaos
Above: Fans try to enter the stadium amid disturbances prior to the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 Final match between Argentina and Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium on July 14, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Image copyright: Megan Briggs/Contributor/Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
The Facts
Argentina won its record 16th South America's Copa America soccer tournament on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., defeating Colombia 1-0 after extra time in a final whose kick-off was delayed for over 75 minutes by crowd control issues.
Videos posted online showed fans of both countries, most wearing Colombia's yellow and red jersey, flooding toward gates near the southwest entrance — despite warnings that fans must have tickets even to enter the venue's parking lot.
The Spin
Narrative A
The chaos that plagued the 2024 Copa America shows that the US isn't prepared to host the World Cup in 2026. Despite robust security including 550 police officers, Hard Rock Stadium was overwhelmed by thousands of fans who could not be contained. If this happened at the Copa America, what would happen when fans from around the world descend upon the stadium for the world's largest sporting tournament? No matter how one divvies up the blame, it’s clear that the US cannot safely host the World Cup.
Narrative B
The chaos that marred the 2024 Copa America will not happen again, and this weekend's events have little to do with the US' ability to host. As the chief organizer of the tournament, South America's CONMEBOL bears the responsibility for security breaches and organizational lapses, and its failures aren't reflective of a successful World Cup in 2026. Countless events with thousands of people go off without a hitch in the US, and it's foolish to think the country can't handle an event of this magnitude.