Argentine YouTubers Arrested for Sneaking into 2026 World Cup Match in Miami
Two Argentine YouTubers, Beni Mármol (20) and Pato Perrotta (26), were arrested in Miami after allegedly bypassing three layers of security to enter the 2026 World Cup match between Colombia and Portugal at Hard Rock Stadium. The incident occurred on Saturday during the Group K final, attended by 64,478 spectators. Both creators, who have hundreds of thousands of YouTube followers, reportedly used expired credentials from a previous event to gain unauthorized access. When questioned, Mármol claimed he was streaming the game as an influencer, while Perrotta said he was hired by a media company to cover the event. They face criminal charges for illegal interference in a sporting event, punishable by up to five years in prison.
Their manager, Walter Costabel, confirmed the two are safe and not being deported but emphasized they are barred from stadiums hosting World Cup matches. Florida authorities have intensified enforcement against unauthorized sports event entry following the 2024 Copa America final, where 27 arrests and 55 ejections occurred. Unauthorized entry to events with over 5,000 attendees is now a third-degree felony.
The match, highly anticipated due to the presence of Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo playing his last international game, ended in a 0-0 draw. Portugal will next face Croatia on Thursday, while Colombia plays Ghana on Friday. Ticket demand for the game exceeded five million requests, with prices starting around $3,500. The article also provides an overview of the current World Cup group standings and recent tournament developments.
