Fans, media personnel, and stadium staff experienced significant delays entering the FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, largely attributed to the expected attendance of United States President Donald Trump. Long queues formed as individuals attempted to navigate enhanced security measures at New York New Jersey Stadium.

Security Measures and Delays

In the lead-up to the match, FIFA advised media staff to arrive as early as six hours before kickoff and warned of road closures starting 150 minutes prior to the event. This resulted in a bottleneck of individuals trying to clear security checks, which included inspections by Secret Service agents. Al Jazeera reporters faced a two-hour wait just to get through the initial security perimeter, while some journalists reported wait times exceeding three hours.

Trump’s helicopter arrived next to the stadium, coinciding with long lines of spectators waiting to enter. Frustrations mounted as malfunctioning ticket scanners compounded the delays, with many media personnel being denied entry despite having the necessary tournament accreditation. Numerous fans also reported long wait times, with some waiting over two hours to get through security.

Fan Experience

Despite the warnings for ticket-holders to arrive four hours early, many fans faced similar challenges at the entrance. However, when the players from Spain and Argentina took the field approximately 45 minutes before kickoff, a substantial portion of the lower stadium bowl was filled, including most of the designated supporters' sections.

This is not the first time a major cup final in the U.S. has faced logistical issues. In 2024, the Copa America final in Miami Gardens experienced a 75-minute delay due to overwhelmed personnel at fan entrances, leading to a chaotic scene as un-ticketed fans attempted to rush in.