US World Cup opener brings win, traffic and tight stadium rules
Al Jazeera reported heavy security, high concession prices and long traffic delays as the US beat Paraguay 4-1 at SoFi Stadium.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
3 min read
The United States opened its home portion of the 2026 World Cup with a 4-1 win over Paraguay in Los Angeles, giving the co-host a strong start on the field. Al Jazeera reported that the first US-based match also showed fans what to expect at American venues: strict entry rules, heavy policing, expensive concessions and difficult traffic.
The match was played Friday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Al Jazeera said the game produced an energetic home crowd celebration, though some sections of empty seats were visible.
The United States is staging the tournament with Canada and Mexico. According to Al Jazeera, US venues are scheduled to host 78 of the competition’s 104 matches.
Security and ticketing rules
Al Jazeera reported that concerns about organisation and logistics before kickoff did not turn into major problems at the Los Angeles match. Fans entering the stadium faced airport-style checks, including emptying pockets, scanning bags and additional screening when security gates were triggered.
The outlet said stadium bag rules were tight. Bags larger than a wallet were barred unless they were transparent, making clear bags the practical option for fans who need to carry items into a US venue.
Ticket validation also ran through FIFA’s official app, FWC2026, according to Al Jazeera. Stadium gate staff would not accept screenshots or printed tickets, though fans may be able to add tickets from the app to a digital wallet before arriving. The outlet advised fans to keep phones charged.
Traffic delays around SoFi Stadium
Traffic was one of the clearest problems around the match, Al Jazeera reported. Los Angeles arranged shuttle buses from downtown transport hubs to SoFi Stadium, part of a wider effort by US host cities to reduce the need for fans to drive.
Even with those measures, Al Jazeera said roads around the stadium were heavily jammed on Friday, with gridlock continuing for several hours after the game. The outlet said fans should plan to arrive early and check local news and municipal social media accounts for transport guidance before matches.
Al Jazeera noted that many parts of the United States lack reliable public transport, making driving the default choice for many spectators. That dynamic is likely to shape the fan experience across several US host cities.
High prices and heavy staffing
Concession prices at SoFi Stadium were steep, according to Al Jazeera. The outlet reported water at $5.25 a bottle, a small bag of crisps at $5.75 and beer costing as much as $21.50.
Al Jazeera also reported a large presence of staff and volunteers around the venue, describing hundreds or possibly thousands of workers helping guide spectators and manage the event. The outlet said fans should ask them for directions or assistance when needed.
Law enforcement was highly visible, according to Al Jazeera, with heavily armed officers from multiple agencies stationed around the stadium. The outlet also reported officers with sniffer dogs and advised fans not to try to pet them.
A commercial and isolated stadium experience
Corporate promotion was prominent around the venue, Al Jazeera reported, with soda companies, banks and carmakers among the brands operating stations near the stadium.
The outlet also said fans should not assume US stadium areas will resemble city-centre football grounds elsewhere. Because of American driving culture, urban sprawl and the availability of land, Al Jazeera reported, many US stadiums sit away from downtown districts and may offer little nearby beyond the match itself.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.