Eighty thousand fans tried to watch the World Cup final on July 19, 2026. Many of them spent more time in line than watching actual soccer.
President Donald Trump’s attendance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey triggered security protocols so extensive that entry queues stretched two to three hours. The match itself kicked off six minutes late, largely because of operational delays tied to Trump’s helicopter arrival and Secret Service vetting procedures.
A stadium turned checkpoint
MetLife Stadium’s 80,000-seat capacity meant that tens of thousands of ticket holders were funneled through enhanced screening. Media and staff were told to arrive six hours before kickoff. Some journalists still waited three hours after showing up that early.
Trump’s attendance at the 2024 Copa America final produced similar logistical headaches, suggesting a pattern that event organizers should probably start pricing into their planning.
