The FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina experienced significant entry delays due to heightened security measures linked to US President Donald Trump’s attendance. Fans, media, and staff faced long queues and ticket scanning problems at the New York New Jersey Stadium.
FIFA had warned media to arrive early and anticipated road closures ahead of the match. Similar logistical challenges have occurred at previous major soccer finals held in the US, highlighting ongoing security and crowd management issues.
Fans, media workers and employees faced lengthy queues to get in to the FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, which is expected to be attended by United States President Donald Trump.
Related coverage: Excitement Builds in New York City as Fans Await World Cup Final Showdown.
In the 48 hours before Sunday’s finale at New York New Jersey Stadium, FIFA sent emails to media staff inviting them to arrive as early as six hours before kickoff and warned them of road closures 150 minutes beforehand.
Among the media and stadium employees, the result appeared to be an early crunch to clear tight security that included inspections by Secret Service agents.
More context: Hannah Rapp, US boxer, dies after being struck by car while cycling in Texas.
Al Jazeera reporters had a two-hour wait between entering the queue and clearing the initial security perimeter. Other journalists who arrived earlier reported wait times of three hours or more.
Trump’s helicopter landed next to the stadium as long lines of spectators waited to enter through enhanced security checks because of him.
Also read: Iraqi-born Emmanuel Kelly Joins World Cup 2026 Half-Time Show Lineup.
One reporter was denied entry into the venue despite having tournament accreditation.
Malfunctioning ticket scanners added to everyone’s frustration as they queued in the heat.
Background: Antonelli dominates Belgian Grand Prix to widen Formula One championship gap.
Numerous other media personnel were denied entry at the security perimeter of the 80,000-capacity venue and sent to the stadium’s accreditation centre.
The same scenario was true for many fans, according to online reports. Despite warnings advising ticket-holders to show up four hours early, there were numerous reported waits of two hours or more in fan queues, with some also reporting malfunctioning ticket scanners.
However, when players from Spain and Argentina first took the field roughly 45 minutes before kickoff, a healthy portion of the lower stadium bowl appeared to be full, including the overwhelming majority of allocated supporters’ sections.
It is not the first major cup final on US soil to have logistical delays for fans.
In 2024, the kickoff of the Copa America final in Miami Gardens, Florida, was delayed by about 75 minutes due to overwhelmed personnel at fan entrances.
Significant numbers of un-ticketed fans then rushed turnstiles and forced entry before law enforcement gradually worked to clear those without paid admission as the match progressed.
Related coverage:
No comments yet. Start the discussion.