After a Disastrous Copa América, Are the U.S. Ready to Host the World Cup?

Oh, the Copa América in the United States... seemed like a great idea, right? Bringing the charm and passion of South American soccer to Yankee territory, with all that first-world glamour and infrastructure. But reality took a hard swipe at expectations, and the 2024 edition was a real horror show. Not that Argentina's victory wasn’t brilliant—it was, with Messi and company putting on a field show. But off the field, the situation was disastrous.

Starting with the playing fields, which looked more like a poorly sewn patchwork quilt than high-quality pitches. Coaches, players, journalists, everyone was unanimous in their criticism: the state of the fields was pathetic. And it's no wonder. Playing on a bumpy pitch is like trying to drive a Formula 1 car on a road full of potholes. It's dangerous and compromises the quality of the show.

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But it didn't stop there. Security, or rather the lack of it, was another chapter. Incidents in two games made it clear that the organization was far from ideal. In the match between Colombia and Uruguay, players had to climb into the stands to defend their families, in a scene that looked more like an action movie than a soccer game. And, as if that wasn’t enough, the final at Hard Rock Stadium turned into utter chaos. Fans without tickets managed to get in, there was a stampede and general confusion, delaying the start of the match. A sign of what could be an even bigger disaster in 2026 if nothing changes.

And then there was Shakira's halftime show during the final. Yes, Shakira is a global star, and her show was a spectacle in itself, but the delay in resuming the game left many people irritated. Several coaches ended up suspended for coming out late for the second half in some games, and this only increased the sense of general disorganization.

The big question is: who is responsible for this fiasco? It's not the first time we've seen security problems at CONMEBOL events. Who doesn’t remember the lamentable scenes in Brazil during other editions of tournaments? But the United States, accustomed to organizing grand spectacles, should have done better. The state of the fields is an issue that cannot be ignored. The responsibility falls heavily on the shoulders of the hosts, who urgently need to rethink their concepts of organization and maintenance.

What’s most concerning is that all this happened just two years before the World Cup, where the U.S. will be one of the hosts. The country that is becoming a new hub for world soccer received a harsh reality check. If they really want to establish themselves as a reference, they will have to work hard to change the image left by the Copa América. It's quite a challenge, but also an opportunity to show that they've learned from their mistakes.

Imagine the scene: the 2026 World Cup final, a packed stadium, the whole world watching. Any slip-up, any failure, will be amplified a thousand times. There's no room for messing around. The Copa América fiasco should serve as a huge red flag. The U.S. has a chance to redeem themselves, but time is ticking.

Every detail counts, from the quality of the turf to the safety of the public. The Copa América showed us how much we still need to advance in this regard. But it also made it clear that, with willpower and planning, it's possible to reverse this negative image.

The brilliance of Argentina’s victory cannot overshadow the problems faced off the field. The spectacle was marred by a series of mistakes that cannot be repeated. Organization is fundamental. Whether for a continental tournament or for the biggest competition on the planet.