After watching Copa America, the United States is not prepared to handle a tourism surge for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Article Summary:

• I watched all of the Copa America games, and the disorganization and chaos have raised questions about preparedness for the World Cup in 2026. 
• What can be expected numbers-wise for the games in Mexico, Canada, and the US.
• Stadium infrastructure needs alterations before the games begin. 
• High temperatures, overcrowding, and violence concerns must be addressed and preventative measures taken. 

The CONMEBOL Copa America brings North and South America together to showcase their talent and flex football’s top players vying for the crown. This year’s continental championship saw Argentina beat Colombia 1-0, and Lionel Messi secured his status as one of the all-time greats in soccer history. 

I watched the games with Colombian and Brazilian friends and quickly learned that passion takes a different form in Latin America. My apologies to the NFL, but even our most ardent football loyalists don’t hold a candle to what I witnessed watching these games unfold.  

With this in mind, the United States, Mexico, and Canada will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

However, between the overcrowding and improper planning that happened during the Copa America games, I believe we’re not ready here in the States without some drastic improvements. 

Copa America recap: What went wrong?

I live close to a neighborhood with a large population of Colombian and Brazilian immigrants in Queens, New York — and they showed up en masse to watch the games. 

At a popular sports bar, the line to the front door had a two-hour wait time in the blistering heat for the Colombia vs. Panama game. The energy was electrifying, and the passion and anticipation were contagious as people waited for word that they were getting a table. 

A heartwarming sense of unity and collective nationalism persevered, however, the games had a chaotic and often dangerous parallel. 

The final match at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, saw multiple injuries, property destruction, and a start delay of more than 80 minutes [Source]. 

Video footage showed fans breaking into the stadium and creating a mess for Miami-Dade officers, who were completely overwhelmed and understaffed. 

Other footage showed devastated fans being denied entry to the stadium after spending thousands of dollars on tickets, prompting a class action lawsuit. With non-ticket holders breaking into the stadium, the arena hit a dangerous capacity and locked out thousands of eager fans. [Source]

With the violence and danger at the Argentina vs. Colombia final, the United States must investigate what went wrong to be better prepared to co-host the 2026 World Cup. No one should be made to feel unsafe at a sporting event.

Stadium infrastructure in the United States

The Hard Rock Stadium is home to the Miami Dolphins, who reported significant damage in the aftermath of the Argentina vs. Colombia final. [Source]

The horrific scenes were an embarrassment for CONMEBOL, the South American soccer confederation responsible for organizing the event. 

While the 2026 World Cup is managed and organized by FIFA, the final in Miami was a warning shot for potential chaos and highlighted fractures in controlling crowds and maintaining order. 

It’s a safe bet that stadiums will be at capacity for the games in the United States, and there’s no guarantee something similar won’t occur. 

FIFA announced the 11 cities chosen to host the games in the United States, from Kansas City to San Francisco, with the final match in East Rutherford, New Jersey at MetLife Stadium. All of the 11 venues chosen are NFL stadiums. [Source]

Although American football stadiums are designed with crowds in mind, the World Cup 2026 can expect to bring in record numbers of fans from around the globe. 

Changes in stadium infrastructure are underway, with MetLife Stadium making upgrades to fit field standards. The other venues will take similar measures to manage crowds and meet FIFA’s size requirements, since soccer requires more grass to play than American football. [Source] [Source]

Security concerns for fans and players

The biggest concern for the 2026 games will be security, with fans and players rightfully worried for their safety after witnessing Copa America. 

It’s no secret that football is a rowdy sport, and passions can become easily inflamed. A concoction of alcohol, sports betting, and nationalism is the trifecta for unruliness to unfold. 

While the Argentina vs. Colombia final was the most distressing series of events, the other games weren’t without controversy. 

A fight broke out between Uruguay’s Darwin Núñez and Colombian fans in the bleachers after the semi-final on July 10th. Shots of the fight played out on live television after the game, and the violence was a grim reality check on how quickly tempers can flare. [Source]

The Uruguayan players argued that their families were in the stands, and Núñez became enraged by the lack of sportsmanship and decency. He promptly was supported by his teammates, who rallied around him and condemned the unruly fans. 

A post-game interview with Uruguay’s Jose Maria Gimenez expressed his disgust with event organizers and security for allowing this, and he didn’t hold back. 

Canadian Coach Jesse Marsch also had some harsh words for the game organizers, stating they were unprofessional throughout, even treating him like a second-class citizen. Ouch. [Source] 

With so much wrong with Copa America, it’s hard not to feel uneasy about the World Cup in 2026. I can’t imagine getting caught in the crossfire of a dangerous fight, and I would be furious if I bought a pricey ticket and was locked out of the stadium due to overcrowding.

FIFA needs to do a much better job securing the perimeter FAR AWAY from the stadiums and multiple entry checkpoints. Regardless of which team you support, no one should worry about their safety or the safety of their loved ones. 

How many people will visit the United States, Canada, and Mexico to watch the games?

It’s safe to say that large numbers will be expected for the 2026 World Cup. With billions of fans globally, you can expect millions to travel for the games. 

FIFA announced the host cities in May 2022, with 11 in the United States, 3 in Mexico, and 2 in Canada. 

Qatar hosted the World Cup in 2022 and featured 36 teams in total. However, the 2026 tournament has expanded to include 48 teams playing at different stadiums in the three countries. That alone will draw in massive numbers. [Source] [Source]

For reference, Qatar had a total of 3.4 million spectators for the final in 2022, the first World Cup hosted in the Arab world. [Source]

While numbers aren’t yet certain, it’s plausible that millions more will attend the games in the Americas. With more teams, countries, and stadiums, fans will have more opportunities to snatch tickets. 

Oh,the best part? Local economies will benefit from all the visitors, with projections of $90 million to $400 million in revenue generated. [Source]

If you have a business idea and live in one of the cities picked, now’s the time to plan! Even if you’re not a soccer fan, millions of tourists can surely be a good thing, right? 

Fan passion has a big part to play in preparing for crowds

Watching Copa America was exhilarating but exhausting. 

The games ran from June 20th to July 14th, with temperatures high in most parts of the United States. However, nothing seemed to deter fans from watching the games at stadiums or bars scattered across the United States. [Source]

I was unprepared for this level of commitment, particularly among Colombian fans. People waited hours for entry into large sports bars, cried tears of joy and sorrow, and sometimes anger boiled over, and arguments commenced. 

I talked to some Colombian and Brazilian fans about the passion, and they agreed that it’s a different level in Latin America. One reason is that you’re cheering for your country, not a state or local game. People unite for their home team, taking advantage of the international spotlight. 

I found this essay discussing soccer passion from the lens of an Argentinian fan and professor, and it offers some incredible insight into the science behind passion. In 2022, 60,000 Argentinian fans flew to Qatar to see the final, even though they had no money or way of getting home. [Source]

There’s truly something different about the game of football in galvanizing fans. While the fandom is inspiring and the camaraderie is needed, particularly in developing countries, it can be dangerous. 

The Hillsborough Disaster is the most infamous soccer tragedy in history, which resulted in 97 deaths and hundreds of injuries at a match in Sheffield, England in 1989. Mistakes by the police led to overcrowding, and people were crushed to death, reshaping the safety apparatus of football globally. [Source] 

We’re lucky the final in Miami between Argentina and Colombia didn’t end in such a tragedy, however, FIFA needs to be cautious. 

Heat-induced incidents in large crowds

The Copa America games were at capacity at some of the stadiums, and there’s another point often overlooked in the excitement of the game: high temperatures.

Since the games are during the summer months, the intense heat can often feel oppressive and suffocating. This is particularly true in packed stadiums, where heat has shown a correlation to anger and aggression. [Source]

I was in a packed bar for the final, and I felt suffocated by a combination of people and high temperatures. It’s a reality important to consider when organizing these games. 

The match between Canada and Peru saw Humberto Panjoj, an assistant referee, pass out on the field in Kansas City with a high of 93 degrees. Heat plus humidity is no joking matter, with fans, players, and staff members needing to be protected and hydrated. [Source]

Qatar featured a revolutionary system at the World Cup in 2022, with technology cooling outside air and distributing it in the stands through large nozzles. This is a great strategy to prevent overheating in the stadiums, particularly during hotter months. [Source]

Heat-induced incidents are dangerous, and they put a damper on the fun. The adrenaline from excitement can distract people from the high temperatures. Drink water! 

Plan ahead if you’re attending the games in 2026

With millions of people planning to travel to The United States, Canada, and Mexico for the World Cup in 2026, I can offer some tips and things to consider before you come. We often overlook important details in the excitement of an event and pay the price (literally).

• Make sure you buy your tickets directly from official websites. The World Cup will be FULL of scammers and tickets sold on the black market. It’s not worth it. Tickets aren’t for sale yet, but FIFA has a designated page to register your interest and receive updates.

• Pay close attention to VISA requirements and plan ahead. The visa approval time can take hundreds of days, particularly for first-time visitors from Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia [Source]. You can check the U.S. Department of State website for more details.

• Make sure you map out where you’re staying for the games. For example, the MetLife Stadium is in East Rutherford, New Jersey. If you’re staying in New York City, you’ll need to figure out transportation routes to get to the stadium.

• Bring extra money, and be aware of currency conversion rates. As a New Yorker, it isn’t cheap to stay here. Sports venues make money off high-priced food and alcohol, which may come as a shock to some tourists. Make sure you have extra savings for an emergency.

• Keep up-to-date with changing information. It’s still early, and FIFA will announce changes as they come. Stay informed!

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Thanks for reading! Do you plan on attending the FIFA World Cup in 2026? Do you think the US is ready to host? Tell us what you think in the comments below. 

Want to read more about travel and sports? Read Laura’s article on planning trips around sporting events, and why she does it.