After Copa America 2024, it’s time for USMNT for a lot of reflection. Firstly, the hosts put out an abysmal display and embarrassingly exited the tournament even before the knockouts. Secondly, former players, analysts, fans, and the Copa’s governing body, CONMEBOL, have all been complaining about the tournament’s poor organization. From unnecessary game delays to fans fighting players and fans encroaching into the stadium, this Copa had more chaos to offer than some thrilling football action. Well, more than that, we know what the concerns point finger to; the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia was a testament to the disastrous tournament organizing, as around 7,000 fans invaded the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, without tickets. Former players-turned-analysts Herculez Gomez, Sebastian Salazar, and Shaka Hislop spoke at length about the Copa final in a recent ESPN FC episode. “Here we are for the world to see, while there’s a Euros going on. That looked amazing. And here we are, a laughingstock in this country and beyond, about to host the 2026 World Cup,” said Herculez Gomez.

“And we’ve got CONMEBOL pointing the fingers at the stadium officials. You’ve got US Soccer quiet. You’ve got FIFA not a peep. It’s a laughingstock, it’s deplorable and it’s embarrassing,” Gomez added. Soon, Salazar reminded the panel of analysts that the chaos at the final did not happen out of a vacuum. He pointed out that Uruguay players including Darwin Nunez had to fight Colombian fans to keep their families from danger.

Since the former USMNT star has left no stone unturned in his outrage against the Copa organizers, let’s have a look at each infamous incident during this Copa that upset its participants.

Recalling the most controversial episodes in the 2024 Copa America

. Fight between Colombian fans and Uruguay players

All hell broke loose in the Bank of America Stadium on July 10 after Colombia beat Uruguay in the semi-final to qualify for the championship game against Argentina. A violent mob of Colombian fans started threatening the families of players including Darwin Nunez. Subsequently, the Liverpool striker rushed to the sidelines and threw punches at fans. He is now awaiting a CONMEBOL sanction for the antics.

. Argentina players rushing to save their families from stadium invaders

When more than 7,000 fans entered the Hard Rock Stadium without tickets, the families of Argentina’s Alejandro Garnacho, Alexis Mac Allister, and Enzo Fernandez found themselves lost in the chaotic crowd. Mac Allister and Fernandez reportedly left the dressing room to help their families navigate the crowd. The Argentina-Colombia tie subsequently started more than an hour late.

. A flurry of complaints on pitch surfaces

North American stadiums have already been taking heat for using turf surfaces instead of natural grass. Among the stadiums that hosted this Copa, the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey was the one most subjected to criticism. Lionel Messi said the stadium’s surface was damp and it made things difficult for him. Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa blasted the organizers for planting grass on the surfaces just three days before a game. Notably, the MetLife Stadium is hosting the FIFA World Cup final.

These are some of the most alarming episodes that happened during this Copa. Meanwhile, ex-US coach Gregg Berhalter and Canada boss Jesse Marsch have said that CONMEBOL referees were biased against CONCACAF teams. Well, that blame is anyhow upon the South American federation, and not the Copa hosts. However, the uncanny events at the Copa have truly forced every other soccer fan to question whether the US could host as big an event as the FIFA World Cup.