Copa America chaos is ‘not a good look for the USA’ ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Alexi Lalas claims after final is marred by dangerous crush

By Daniel Matthews

14:16 15 Jul 2024, updated 16:48 15 Jul 2024

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The carnage that marred Copa America is not a good look for soccer in the United States ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Alexi Lalas has claimed.

Sunday’s final between Colombia and Argentina descended into chaos as supporters were caught in a crush outside Hard Rock Stadium before hundreds forced their way through the perimeter gates.

More than a dozen people were reportedly arrested, with many others needing medical treatment as fans in Colombia jerseys forced open the metal gates and even crawled through air vents to get into the stadium.

It came only a few days after Colombia’s semifinal against Uruguay ended with Darwin Nunez and other players brawling with supporters in the stands.

The US is a co-host of the 2026 World Cup alongside Mexico and Canada, with Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium scheduled to host seven games. 

Sunday’s Copa America final between Colombia and Argentina descended into chaos The carnage is not a good look for the US ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Alexi Lalas claimed

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And Fox Sports analyst Lalas said ahead of Argentina’s 1-0 victory: ‘This is not a good look.

‘I understand this is not a good look for CONMEBOL (the body in charge of Copa America). It is also because it is happening on our watch, in our country, it’s not a good look for the US less than two years out of the World Cup. 

‘I have no doubt that FIFA and the United States and Canada and Mexico will sort this out and make sure this doesn’t happen going forward.’

The start of Sunday’s final was delayed by more than an hour as fans without tickets attempted to enter the stadium. 

Supporters were seen standing in the aisles ahead of the game, with Univision estimating that an additional 7,000 fans were inside the 65,000-seater stadium. 

Fans in Colombia jerseys even crawled through air vents to get into the stadium on Sunday Large crowds of fans try to enter the stadium amid disturbances prior the Copa Final

Lalas did insist, however, that the ‘fervor’ and ‘passion’ shown by fans this summer proves that America is ‘a soccer nation’. 

‘Don’t let anybody tell you that the US does not have an incredible history and doesn’t have fans out there,’ he added. 

‘This shows that that there are many home teams when it comes to the US but there is a fervor and a passion for this game and for these tournaments. 

‘That is going to be on display for the next two years and is going to culminate in what I think is going to be the most important and biggest summer of soccer (in 2026).’

Source link : https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-13635877/amp/Copa-America-chaos-USA-2026-World-Cup-Alexi-Lalas.html

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Publish date : 2024-07-15 09:16:29

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