Victor Dumois, a lifelong soccer fan from Spain, has raised concerns about the upcoming 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the United States after a disappointing experience at a recent Club World Cup match in Miami.
Dumois remarked, “I think after the Copa America, a weird phenomenon has occurred here. There’s people that don’t like the World Cup being in the United States.”
His concerns are somewhat justified, especially in light of the chaos surrounding the Copa America championship game last year at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, where security issues led to a chaotic scene of overheated fans struggling to enter.
Many ticketed fans could not access their seats due to occupied sections, prompting widespread criticism about the United States’ preparedness to host large-scale soccer events.
In comparison, the Club World Cup hosted solely in the U.S. this summer has reflected a tighter security protocol, albeit perhaps excessively so.
Dumois noticed the difference, stating, “In Spain, it is different; you can just have an Uber or taxi take you right up to the stadium. Here in Miami, they have to leave you outside and far away. There’s so many layers of security, it’s too much.”
With the United States, Canada, and Mexico set to host the 2026 World Cup in major cities including Miami, Atlanta, and Los Angeles, observers are worried that this summer’s Club World Cup has not generated significant attendance.
In fact, a Round of 16 match at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium, which houses 75,000 seats, only drew 20,030 fans, resulting in stadium officials allowing fans who had purchased upper deck tickets to move to the lower bowl, which still appeared half-empty.
Empty seats have marred the tournament across various venues, leading to speculation about underlying issues affecting attendance.
One major factor is the Club World Cup’s relative lack of popularity compared to the World Cup, where national pride and stakes are higher.
Additionally, ticket and travel costs have deterred many potential attendees.
Further complicating matters are concerns over the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at match venues amidst a crackdown on illegal immigration by President Donald Trump.
Weather has presented another challenge, as fans like Benjamin Cabral, who resides in Boston but has family ties to Portugal, pointed out.
He emphasized that the scheduling of matches in the summer, typically during the day for European viewing, places players in extreme temperatures exceeding 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius).
“If they’re trying to grow their game in the US, they need to make the games later,” he insisted. “It’s too hot out here for the players.”
Fans have expressed their discomfort as well, and many pointed out the lack of amenities at certain venues. Carlos Olguin traveled from Mexico to Charlotte to support Pachuca and stated, “There’s no roof, no screens, not much.”
The upcoming World Cup will occur during a similar timeframe, running from mid-June to mid-July, raising further concerns over the circumstances.
Dumois noted the need for local cities and businesses to better prepare for the event. “There are people who don’t even know there’s an event, and you go to a restaurant with the idea that there are flags, fans, more football things and there’s nothing,” he remarked, reflecting a lack of local engagement with the tournament.
Opinions on the readiness of the host cities vary among spectators of the Club World Cup. Jeremy Zuniga from South Carolina candidly stated, “I’ll be honest, the U.S. is not ready to host the World Cup. There’s too many people coming from South America, Europe, everybody.”
Conversely, Rogerio Bajos from Peru felt positively about his experience, saying, “I think it’s been good, we haven’t had any problems. The parking is no problem, the security has been good. Overall, a stupendous spectacle.”
Miami resident Humberto Contasta expressed hope that the Club World Cup would allow organizers in the U.S. to iron out their issues ahead of the World Cup.
Daniel Marques, who traveled from Portugal for the chance to see Benfica compete against Chelsea, shared a favorable impression of how the tournament was executed.
Similarly, Guilherme Altoe, who reminisced about witnessing World Cup matches in Brazil before relocating to the United States, holds optimism about the upcoming event.
He asserted, “I think the United States has everything, all the infrastructure to host a World Cup,” expressing excitement for the event and the diverse fan experiences it will bring.
With a mix of skepticism and hope, the United States gears up to prepare for its largest sporting challenge to date, all while overcoming the lessons learned from the Club World Cup.
image source from：nbcmiami
