Gaffes mar US’ hosting party

ORLANDO: The United States could host the World Cup tomorrow, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said recently. But less than one week into the Copa America Centenario,

ORLANDO: The United States could host the World Cup tomorrow, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said recently. But less than one week into the Copa America Centenario, being held across the US, it is clear that putting on a successful major international football tournament requires much more than just having lots of big stadiums, airports and hotels. Attention has been focused on some high-profile, embarrassing gaffes, particularly two separate national anthem mix-ups, but complaints have also focused on the choice of kick-off times, the travel itineraries and the general atmosphere around the tournament. Saturday’s Costa Rica v Paraguay group game, was played in intense afternoon heat. “It was crazy to play at the time we played,” Paraguay’s Argentine coach Ramon Diaz said.

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