FIFA's shortcomings evident, but World Cup begins for U.S. squad

But FIFA insists we are in Los Angeles. At a mythical place called Los Angeles Stadium. They have rebranded all their stadiums (hence Levi's is now San Francisco), removing any sign of sponsors that don't pay fealty and big bucks to FIFA.

This was not an issue 32 years ago. Corporate naming rights of stadiums is a (mostly) 21st century phenomenon, so in the last American World Cup, places like Stanford, the Rose Bowl and Soldier Field were allowed to retain their historic names.

The stadium name wasn't the only identity problem on display in the first World Cup game on U.S. soil since 1994. Fans flocked to the whatchamacallit stadium for the 2 p.m. gate-opening time, but it was hard to tell which fans. Both the U.S. fans and the Paraguayan fans were clad in red and white stripes, a supercharged candy cane affair. In the pregame, the Paraguayan fans were by far the loudest and the rowdiest, thrilled that La Albirroja is back in the World Cup after a 16-year absence.

The first game of a World Cup is always interesting. You can't really do a practice run for an event that will, on game day, include 70,000 fans, thousands of media members, celebrities and dignitaries needing extra security, multiple languages and plenty of opportunity for glitches.

Friday was no exception. A shuttle meant to ferry media members from team training camp in Irvine up to the game never showed up. Media shuttles got lost making the short drive from Los Angeles International Airport. The lone X-ray machine at one key entrance broke down and security started simply waving people through. The billions that FIFA is making off the event apparently did not mean the infrastructure needed to get folks easily in and out of the stadium was in place.

Things will get sorted. There are 104 matches to be played in this bloated, bigger-than-ever event. Friday, in the United States, was just a start.

June 12, 2026|Updated June 12, 2026 6:50 p.m.

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Ann Killion

Sports Columnist

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