Copa America problems reveal US not ready for 2026 World Cup

In many ways, the Copa America is an unofficial test in preparation for the 2026 World Cup. But the CONMEBOL tournament has already exposed several problems in the United States that need to be resolved by FIFA before the tournament kicks off. World Cup in 2026.

It is important to mention that the 2024 Copa America, hosted in the United States, has only a third of the number of teams in the 2026 World Cup. The Copa America features 16 nations. The 2026 World Cup, hosted primarily in the United States but also in Mexico and Canada, features a record 48 nations.

Let’s review one by one the problems that were exposed during this Copa America:

1. Some stadium pitches are of poor quality

Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and MetLife Stadium, just outside New York, were two points of interest. Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez said the state of the pitch in Atlanta was a disaster. Kamal Miller, a defender for the opposing team, said the pitch at Mercedes-Benz Stadium felt hollow. Even Vini Jr. criticized the pitches at the Copa America, which should ring alarm bells for World Cup organizers.

Similarly, during the Argentina match at MetLife Stadium, sand was spread onto the pitch along with the temporary grass covering the stadium’s pitch.

In Los Angeles, Mexican star Edson Alvarez suffered a non-contact injury that has since ruled him out for the remainder of the Copa America. If you watch a replay of the incident, you will see Alvarez (shirt number four) get hurt because of the surface of the pitch. Luis Advíncula suffered a similar injury during the Copa America at AT&T Stadium.

Eight of the fourteen stadiums used for the Copa América will also be used for the 2026 World Cup. Of these, five used temporary artificial turf over traditional artificial turf. Seven World Cup stadiums will follow this trend. However, if the host nation USA cannot prepare pitches for the Copa América, concerns will arise for the World Cup in two years.

Copa America Pricing Issues: The Next World Cup in 2026?

2. Disappointing attendance at the Copa America

Away from the playing surface, one of the standout issues of the Copa America has been attendance. The combination of expensive travel to the United States and exorbitant ticket prices led to relatively low attendance at matches. For example, the average ticket price for games exceeds $200, even though the games are held in stadiums with giant capacities.

The Copa América 2024 has given control of ticket sales to the different stadiums. In comparison, in previous editions of the Copa América, CONMEBOL had control over ticket prices. Likewise, UEFA controls the price of Euro 2024 tickets, which explains why these tickets have been more affordable. Tickets for Euro 2024 cost between $32 and $215.

Exorbitant ticket prices are one thing, but the greed of the Copa America organizers takes the situation to another level. Apparently, they would rather have thousands of empty seats than sell tickets at an affordable price.

Our concern is that the same model could be adopted by FIFA for the 2026 World Cup. If so, it will come at a high cost to average fans who are already reeling from inflation across the United States.

It’s not just the cost of tickets that affects fans. One report stated that the parking fee for the USMNT’s game against Bolivia at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas was $65.

Unintended consequences

3. Disappointing atmospheres during matches

The Copa America 2024 is played at the same time as Euro 2024, so we can see a comparison between the two competitions. Biggest difference off the field? Incredible match atmospheres at Euro 2024.

Empty seats have been commonplace throughout the 2024 Copa America. This even includes empty seats during matches featuring well-supported nations such as Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and the United States.

Part of the Copa America’s problem is the high ticket prices. When you look at the average die-hard fan, the people who can afford those ticket prices have more wealth (or credit card bills). They’re perhaps more mainstream than hardcore when it comes to supporting their favorite nation (or player).

Yet once inside a stadium, concessions for American sports are much more expensive than those for their European counterparts. A beer at Euro 2024 costs around $5, while a German sausage usually costs around $4. For comparison, a hot dog at SoFi Stadium on June 24 cost $25.

4. Lack of public transport has been a major problem for fans

Returning to the example of the USA vs. Bolivia game played in Texas, those staying in the Dallas area would need to take a 30-minute ride to AT&T Stadium using public transportation.

The United States is not very good at public transportation. Most of the stadiums used for the World Cup are located some distance from the center of major cities. There are few, if any, high-speed trains. In most places in the United States, the transportation infrastructure can only really accommodate people who travel by car.

Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, will host seven matches of the 2026 World Cup. Among them, a quarterfinal match. It is 48 kilometers, or about 50 minutes, from central Boston. The only thing saving it is a train line known as the Patriot Line.

Concerns in the stadium

5. Weather in the United States continues to heat up to unbearable levels

This is a problem that is all the more serious as temperatures are high in the United States. The climate is hot in summer. While some regions, notably the west coast, are cooler than others, many locations where Copa America and World Cup matches take place experience scorching temperatures. For example, on Wednesday night, thousands of seats were empty at Children’s Mercy Park in sunny Kansas City as Canada beat Peru.

To be fair to the 15,625 people in attendance, temperatures in Kansas City topped 100 degrees Fahrenheit. It was enough to send off an assistant referee who passed out in the hot and humid conditions. Arrowhead Stadium will host 2026 World Cup matches in similar temperatures.

Water breaks help players, but the heat and humidity across the United States are a legitimate concern for fans in large stadiums.

July 2023 was the hottest month on record. Meanwhile, for many of us in the United States, heat advisories have now become a new normal. And it’s not just about heat. Changing weather conditions are a concern with tornadoes and hurricanes.

If event organizers fail to address this and other issues facing the 2026 World Cup, the tournament will be in trouble.

PHOTOS: IMAGO