World Cup Final Stadium Pitch Heavily Criticized

The turf at the stadium slated to host the World Cup final is already sparking debate after just a few matches, raising questions about whether MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford is the most suitable venue, reports DPA. Match 104 of the 2026 World Cup is scheduled for July 19th, where the 23rd world champion will be crowned. However, "the players feel like it's artificial turf," stated French midfielder Adrien Rabiot, while several other players and coaches have noted the surface is excessively hard.

FIFA has stated that "the pitches at all 16 stadiums to be used for the World Cup are in excellent condition, both in terms of playability and player safety." Studies and tests have been conducted for over five years in collaboration with leading turf experts and stadium operators, suggesting there should be no cause for concern. Yet, one of the World Cup's biggest stars, Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior, has already voiced worries after the first of eight World Cup matches in East Rutherford.

"It was difficult to play on this pitch," said the Real Madrid forward after the 1-1 draw against Morocco on June 13th. "The heat dried out the grass quickly, which slowed down the game," he added. However, if it rains, the game could become very fast, suggested Norway's coach Ståle Solbakken before Monday's match against Senegal. He explained that the pitch is different from others and very firm.

France's coach Didier Deschamps, for his part, noted that the ball bounces uniquely on this surface. During their 3-1 victory over Senegal, it became apparent that the pitch was uneven in several places, visible even from a distance. FIFA, however, disagrees, suggesting that people are not correctly interpreting what they see: "Visual differences on some playing surfaces, whether observed on television or live, do not necessarily reflect the quality, condition, or suitability of the pitch for play."