Three issues from Copa America in KC that FIFA must fix before the 2026 World Cup

Soccer fans in Kansas City got a taste of what life will be like here during the 2026 World Cup.

Two Copa America games were played on either side of the state line (Children’s Mercy Park and GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium) over the past week. Fans of teams involved arrived in Kansas City to see their team play and see what our city has to offer.

Here’s a look at some Peruvian fans who were outside the team’s hotel last week.

Unfortunately neither of the two matches in Kansas City went off without a hitch. But there is time to fix those issues that we saw. There are three areas in which FIFA can improve on what we saw at Copa America in KC.

1. Game times

The start time for the Canada-Peru game at Children’s Mercy Park was 5 p.m., which anyone in Kansas City can tell you is the hottest time of the day in late June. The heat index was in triple digits and assistant referee Humberto Panjoj collapsed late in the first half.

Players said safety simply must be considered when deciding when to start a game.

“It can’t be a 5 o’clock kickoff,” Canada defender Alistair Johnston told reporters after his side won 1-0. “That’s the simplest one. ... It’s gotta be an 8 or 9 o’clock kickoff. Because honestly, it’s not even safe for the fans.”

Let’s hope we’ll see later start times in KC during the 2026 World Cup.

2. Refs matter

The U.S. Men’s National Team wasn’t robbed by the officials in its 1-0 loss to Uruguay on Monday at Arrowhead. At best, the U.S. could have come away with a draw after a bizarre VAR decision.

Nevertheless, referee Kevin Ortega had a rough night and did something soccer fans have never seen in a game. Ortega issued a yellow card after a foul by an American player but also let Uruguay play on. This was, well, something.

FIFA has to have the best possible referees for the 2026 World Cup and VAR must be better than what we saw Monday night.

3. TV issue

Soccer fans initially were frustrated when they tuned to Monday night’s U.S. game because of the absurd TV angle of the action at Arrowhead.

Fox Sports broadcasters made a point of telling viewers multiple times this was out of their network’s hands because it was using a “world feed” from the South American Football Confederation.

That likely was chosen because it offered a better view of the advertising boards around Arrowhead Stadium.

Fortunately, the issue was fixed late in the first half, but FIFA can’t let that happen when games are played on that field in two years.