The FIFA World Cup was a test for the United States: Wales won before 2026 star-news.press/wp

Hadeer inside the Metlife stadium on Sunday looked on Sunday when Chelsea beat Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in the FIFA World Cup Final, as if it were a victory for a football victory in the United States. Blue and red shirts, chants in multiple languages, and mobilization of sale, lend the match an atmosphere that deserves the largest stages in Europe.

But just weeks ago, in the afternoon in Orlando and Sinnati, the stands were half empty. Fans, who paid hundreds of dollars for early tickets, witnessed that prices fell to $ 13 days before the start of the match. Abroad, supporters have been concerned about the visa delay and enforcement of immigration completely.

The FIFA World Cup 2025-which was expanded to 32 teams for the first time-provided moments of the scene and a clear warning: Organizing the largest sporting event in the world here will require more than international level stadiums.

Fans pricing, then return

The most pronounced championship was the ticket pricing. The seats rose in the semi -finals in the beginning to $ 473, as the distinctive final seats reach 2900 dollars. With the accumulation of empty rows, the FIFA prices fell dramatically-the Chelsea-Fallomings ticket in the semi-finals decreased to $ 13, less than a court beer.

Paul Jones, one of the PSG fans, said to him Newsweek Before the game. “The tickets were very expensive, so the stadiums were half empty. If they had made them cheaper, more fans will come.”

In the knockout tours, low -ticket prices and large crowd ravage compatibility attracted. But the scene of the empty seats and the fractured fans in the group stage highlighted the weak planning.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, however describing the championship as success. Before the final match, FIFA announced that more than 2.3 million fans from 180 countries had attended.

“It was a historical teacher,” Infantino said, adding that the turnout was a “pleasant surprise” after the attendance mark of billions of millions crossed only 10 days after reaching a million people.

Play in an oven

The middle of the day, which was timid for European TV, left the players and fans who bake at 100 degrees in cities such as Miami and Charlotte.

Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea, who felt dizzy during the semi -finals against Flumini, called the conditions “very dangerous” and urged FIFA to reconsider the start of the match for the year 2026.

“The heat is incredible … the speed of the game is not the same,” he said after its collapse on the field in Philadelphia.

FIFA added refrigeration, water stations, and shaded areas, but Chelsea coach Enzo Marisca said that the morning training was “almost impossible”, and Argentina Sergio Goykitia, who played in the 1994 World Cup, Newsweek: “It is stressful. The heat drains you, and the scene also suffers.”

In addition to the weather challenges, lightning storms in many forced caliphdia cities were delayed at least three games. Under the FIFA protocol, the game was stopped when the strikes were discovered eight miles away and can only resume 30 minutes from the end of the noticeable lightning.

Immigration concerns

Perhaps the most political lesson came from immigration and access to the visa. Executive of President Trump’s fans from 12 countries, including Iran and Haiti – two countries with national teams competing for the World Cup sidewalks. Players and employees are exempt, but fans who feed their teams will be banned.

In 2018, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs promised Rex Tillerson that visas “without regard to race, skin color, ethnic, national or social origin, sex, language, religion, political opinion.” Now, the accumulation of severe visas has grown to the extent that Foreign Minister Marco Rubio warned: “If you have not already applied, you may not get here.”

Some supporters canceled the flights or watching the parties for fear of immigration raids, after the publication of customs and the protection of the American border – then deleted – a message that the agents are “suitable and prepared” for safety.

“Of course, everyone is welcome to attend and see this wonderful event. But when the time comes, we want them to return home – otherwise they will have to speak to Minister Nayyu,” Mixed messages will have to speak to the Minister of Internal Security.

“Historical teacher”

Despite errors with ticket pricing, schedule, and immigration policy, the club’s World Cup also offered what the United States is doing well – and what FIFA hopes to build on it in 2026. The production of broadcasts was widely reported because of its professionalism and size, and the transfer to the stadiums was smooth for most fans, and there was no significant production inside the Hamz or outside the ministers.

He also made a lot of money.

“We also heard, that it will not succeed financially, this will be the stirring,” no one is interested. “Well, I can say that we have created ($ 2 billion – approximately $ 2.1 billion.

“There is no other club competition in the world today approaching the value of $ 33 million per game. So, it is already the most successful competition in the world, with all measurements.”

Fans of fans’ culture in the knockout tours. South American supporters – especially the fans of Boca Juniors, Flomenese, and Lumingo have transformed sections of the American Football Association stadiums into a boiler of flags, drums and chants, creating a usually dedicated atmosphere for Pianus Aires or Rio de Janeiro.

“The crowd was hostile to the best possible way,” said Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany after facing Boca in Miami.

Even some unexpected results added to the drama. Hillal in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was amazed by Manchester City within 16 years, while Brazilian clubs have exceeded expectations-four teams sent to the quarter-finals.

“The World Cup (the club) shows us the high level of competition in other league tournaments,” Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso told reporters. “Maybe we Europeans are not aware of it.”

Infantino, who opened an American office in Trump Tower and appeared alongside Trump in the gatherings, remained optimistic: “America will welcome the world. Everyone who wants to come here to enjoy, enjoy, and celebrate the game will be able to do this,” he said in March. Infantino later described the club’s World Cup as a “historic teacher” and cited more than 2.3 million fans from 180 countries that attended as evidence of their success.