Sport
Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium tightens security ahead of FIFA Club World Cup
Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN), Afghanistan’s leading broadcaster, will bring the excitement of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 to viewers across the country live and exclusively on Ariana Television.
Hard Rock Stadium is implementing major new security measures ahead of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup following the fan chaos that disrupted last year’s Copa América final between Argentina and Colombia.
On July 14 last year, thousands of unticketed fans stormed the stadium gates in Miami Gardens, breaching barriers and causing widespread disorder.
The chaos forced organizers to delay the match by over an hour, and in an effort to prevent stampedes, gates were opened to both ticketed and non-ticketed fans.
Some who had paid top dollar were ultimately denied entry, prompting lawsuits against the stadium and tournament organizer CONMEBOL.
What’s new:
But with the Club World Cup set to kick off on Saturday, June 14 — featuring Inter Miami vs. Al Ahly in the opening match — the stadium will debut a more robust security plan.
According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, the upgraded measures will include:
Three security checkpoints around the stadium campus
Ticket screening at each checkpoint
A significant law enforcement presence
Reinforced crowd control at exterior gates
“A stronger screening process will manage crowds, ensure safety, and keep out fans without valid tickets,” a sheriff’s spokesperson said.
A report by Miami-Dade police criticized the previous lack of an extended security perimeter and recommended stronger external controls and better communication systems. Police also admitted they hadn’t anticipated the scale of last year’s disruption.
A stadium spokesperson told Axios that Hard Rock collaborates closely with local law enforcement and adapts its protocols for each event. It cited successful security operations during Taylor Swift concerts in 2024 as proof of its capabilities.
“For the Club World Cup, fans will be subject to multiple ticket checks before entering,” the spokesperson said. “Fan safety remains our highest priority.”
These changes come as Hard Rock prepares to host some of the most high-profile matches in the world, including fixtures in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
ATN to broadcast FIFA Club World Cup live and exclusively across Afghanistan
Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN), Afghanistan’s leading broadcaster, will bring the excitement of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 to viewers across the country live and exclusively on Ariana Television.
As football fans eagerly await the global tournament, ATN’s comprehensive coverage will ensure that Afghan audiences can enjoy every moment of the action from the comfort of their homes.
The tournament, which kicks off on June 14 in the United States, will feature 32 top club teams from around the world, including local favorite Inter Miami, European giants Manchester City, and African powerhouse Al Ahly.
ATN’s commitment to delivering world-class sports content reflects its ongoing mission to connect Afghans with major international events.
As the only Afghan network offering full live coverage of the FIFA Club World Cup, ATN is poised to unite millions of fans and inspire a new generation of football enthusiasts across the country.
Japan, Saudi Arabia and Tajikistan have secured qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026 after strong performances at the AFC U-17 Asian Cup.
The three Asian sides join hosts Qatar as confirmed representatives from the Asian Football Confederation for the expanded 48-team tournament later this year.
Japan booked their place after defeating Qatar and then beating China 2-1 in Group B. Anthony Motosuna and Maki Kitahara scored the goals that sealed a second straight victory and guaranteed qualification.
Saudi Arabia also advanced from Group A after a 2-0 win over Thailand. Marwan Al Yami opened the scoring early before Hassan Al Okrush added a late second goal, giving the Saudis six points from two matches following their opening win against Myanmar.
Tajikistan joined them after edging Myanmar 1-0 thanks to a first-half goal from Asadbek Makhtumov. The victory followed Tajikistan’s opening 2-0 win over Thailand and secured their place in Qatar 2026.
More teams could qualify on Sunday as the second round of matches in Groups C and D continues, with the final group-stage fixtures set to take place on Tuesday and Wednesday.
A delegation from the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has traveled to China following an official invitation from the Chinese government, in a move aimed at strengthening sports diplomacy and expanding technical cooperation in cricket between the two countries.
The delegation includes national coach Nawroz Mangal and players Qais Ahmad, Zahir Khan, Faisal Shinozada, and Wahidullah Zadran.
Before their departure, ACB Chief Executive Officer Naseeb Khan met with the delegation, reaffirming the board’s commitment to developing and globalizing Afghan cricket. He also referenced previous international engagement efforts, including a memorandum of understanding signed with the Uzbekistan Cricket Federation focused on cricket development and technical collaboration.
Naseeb Khan highlighted existing economic and industrial ties between Afghanistan and China, expressing optimism that sports cooperation—particularly in cricket—could further strengthen bilateral relations. He emphasized that knowledge-sharing, technical exchange, and joint development initiatives would support the growth of the sport in both countries.
During their visit, the Afghan delegation is expected to hold discussions on cricket development, community engagement, and the role of sport in society. The program also includes participation in workshops, attendance at a cricket match organized by Chinese cricket authorities, and visits to sports technology and innovation exhibitions.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board has increasingly pursued regional partnerships in recent years. Last year, it signed a cooperation agreement with the Uzbekistan Cricket Federation covering technical exchange, capacity building, development programs, and educational workshops aimed at expanding cricket infrastructure and expertise in the region.
The United States is set to welcome the world with a major opening ceremony for the FIFA World Cup 2026, as Los Angeles prepares to host a star-powered celebration marking the start of the tournament across North America.
FIFA announced that global music stars including Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, LISA, Rema and Tyla will headline the ceremony at Los Angeles Stadium on Friday, June 12.
The event will officially launch what FIFA described as a “historic summer of football” across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Organizers said the ceremony will combine football, music and entertainment in a large-scale production designed to reflect the cultural diversity and global appeal of the tournament.
Gianni Infantino said the ceremony in Los Angeles would showcase the scale and ambition of the 2026 World Cup, adding that the lineup of artists reflects the cultural diversity of the United States and the power of music to unite people.
For the first time in FIFA World Cup history, three opening ceremonies will take place across the three host nations. Mexico City will host the first ceremony on June 11, followed by celebrations in Toronto and Los Angeles on June 12.
The opening match in the United States will see the U.S. national team face Paraguay. The FIFA World Cup 2026 will feature a record 104 matches across 16 host cities, beginning on June 11 in Mexico City and ending with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium.
Football fans in Afghanistan will be able to follow all the action live on the Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN), which holds the exclusive broadcasting rights for the tournament in the country. ATN will broadcast matches live on Ariana Television, providing full coverage of the world’s biggest football event for Afghan viewers.
Fans are also encouraged to stay connected with Ariana Television and Ariana News on social media for the latest updates, including match schedules, team news, and other FIFA World Cup 2026 developments as the tournament draws closer.
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