Dry Horror: Football Stars Slam Pitch Set to Host World Cup Final

French midfielder Adrien Rabiot described the pitch as feeling artificial, while Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior, after a 1-1 draw with Morocco, noted the playing surface was incredibly challenging. The heat was causing it to dry out, slowing down the game. Several players commented that the surface was excessively hard.

The International Football Federation (FIFA) stated that the playing surfaces at all 16 World Cup stadiums are in excellent condition regarding playability and player safety. The stadium in East Rutherford is also set to host the Norway-Senegal match on Tuesday, June 22nd, ahead of which Norwegian coach Stale Solbakken suggested that potential rain could, conversely, significantly speed up the game.

France coach Didier Deschamps also weighed in on the pitch, remarking that the ball bounced in a "unique" manner. Visually, the turf appeared uneven. "Visual differences on some playing surfaces, whether on television or in person, do not necessarily reflect the quality, condition, or playability of the turf," FIFA clarified.

However, these less-than-positive comments have raised questions about whether the stadium and pitch in East Rutherford are the best choice for the final match, as reported by DPA.