Douglas also said, “Não sabíamos se isso era normal,” highlighting the uncertainty confronting international visitors unfamiliar with the scale of the buildup.
The reported conditions extend beyond an unpleasant view. Sargassum left under intense heat can produce an odor compared with rotten eggs, while flies gather around the piles and strands of the algae can cause irritation when they cling to hair or swimwear.
For some children, the seaweed became an impromptu game. For adults who have travelled for football, however, it has reportedly turned a hoped-for beach escape into another part of the tournament experience to navigate.
Sargassum is a natural feature of the Atlantic, but the report says its growth and movement have become more pronounced since 2011, with changes in winds and ocean currents linked to its wider spread. The current concern is the timing: Miami is receiving visitors for matches, fan activities and the wider summer programme just as the algae has reached the shoreline in substantial volumes.
That creates a challenge for a city whose appeal is closely tied to sun, sand and sea. Even when stadiums and events run smoothly, the visitor experience is shaped by what happens outside the venues.
The issue is not a football controversy, nor something organisers can solve with a tactical adjustment. It is an environmental pressure that may influence how visitors remember the tournament and how tourism businesses prepare for future summers.
As World Cup events continue, the next question will be whether beach conditions improve, remain a persistent nuisance or force Miami to present a different version of its famous coastline.