A scene of chaos unfolded at Hard Rock Stadium near Miami during the Copa América final, leaving scores of ticketed fans stranded outside and raising concerns about the venue's preparedness for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, officials reported on Monday.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava announced a comprehensive review of Sunday night's events to inform preparations for the World Cup. "I was deeply disturbed by the unprecedented incidents that transpired," she remarked during a press briefing on the 2024-25 county budget.

Dr. Manuel Fonseca, who paid $3,600 for a pair of tickets to witness Argentina's Lionel Messi potentially secure a major trophy, expressed shock at the disorder. "Having frequented Hard Rock many times, I expected a secure environment," Fonseca said. However, he and his pregnant wife found themselves caught in "total chaos" outside the stadium.

Following the breach by non-ticket holders, some gates were strategically closed and reopened to facilitate the safe entry of ticketed guests, as detailed in a statement by Hard Rock Stadium operators on Monday. Yet, this maneuver exacerbated the situation as unruly individuals continued to engage in unlawful acts, including altercations with police, destruction of property, and breaching stadium barriers.

Rebeca Hwang, one of the shut-out fans, described the scene as "mayhem," lamenting the ordeal endured by her children, aged 6 and 9, who had eagerly anticipated the match after months of following the tournament. "They treated us like criminals," Hwang expressed, emphasizing the lack of clarity and support for ticket holders amidst the chaos.

Acknowledging the disappointment of those unable to enter after the stadium perimeter closure, stadium officials assured collaboration with CONMEBOL, the South American soccer confederation, to address individual grievances. "The paramount concern remains the health and safety of all guests and staff," the stadium statement affirmed.

Frustration mounted among ticket holders, who roamed from gate to gate in hopes of gaining entry, only to encounter confusion and uncertainty. "There were hundreds of people in the same predicament," Hwang recalled, describing the pervasive sense of dismay.

As delays pushed the scheduled 8 p.m. kickoff back to 9:22 p.m., Fonseca questioned the stadium's preparedness for hosting the World Cup. "If yesterday was any indication, they may not be ready for the magnitude of the World Cup," he commented, underscoring concerns about future events at the venue.

Tensions even persisted after the match, culminating in the arrest of Ramón Jesurún, head of Colombia's soccer governing body, and his son following a post-match altercation with security guards. The incident, involving a physical altercation after a directive to halt in a tunnel toward the pitch, led to charges against Jesurún's son for assaulting a security guard.

Both Jesurúns were booked into jail early Monday, with no immediate response from the Colombian soccer federation regarding the incident.

The events at Hard Rock Stadium highlight ongoing challenges in managing large-scale sporting events and underscore the complexities ahead of the 2026 World Cup preparations across multiple U.S. cities, including Miami.