Copa America chaos in US frustrates fans and teams

NEW YORK : Chaos at the Copa America final on Sunday night - as soccer fans rushed security at the final in Florida - capped a tournament rife with discord just two years before the World Cup is set to take place in the United States.

As some fans without tickets tried to enter, police closed the gates and initiated a lockdown that left hundreds of fans stuck outside the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens in sweltering heat. South American football's governing body CONMEBOL repeatedly delayed the match between Argentina and Colombia, and it finally kicked off over an hour late.

It was a stunning scene from the home of the National Football League's Miami Dolphins, which is used to welcoming massive crowds at sport's biggest events, including the Super Bowl four years ago.

The venue will host matches at the 2026 World Cup, which is organized by the sport's global governing body, FIFA.

Hard Rock Stadium said in a statement that it had "more than double" the personnel on Sunday than at a typical capacity event. The stadium has a capacity of over 65,000.

"We understand there are disappointed ticket holders who were not able to enter the stadium after the perimeter was closed, and we will work in partnership with CONMEBOL to address those individual concerns," it said.

"Ultimately, there is nothing more important than the health and safety of all guests and staff."

CONMEBOL, CONCACAF, FIFA and U.S. Soccer did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Similar incidents have happened in several recent major soccer matches in places including London and Paris.

But it was a bitter disappointment nonetheless for fans at a tournament that had been intended to showcase inter-confederation camaraderie, with the United States hosting