Concerns regarding the playing surface at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, United States, have been raised by players and coaching staff from major international teams during the group stages of the 2026 World Cup. Reports indicate that the pitch quality has been a point of discussion, with multiple national contingents citing issues with the playing field’s composition. Specifically, athletes from both France and Brazil have described the turf as excessively firm, dry, and exhibiting uneven patches across the playing area.
These conditions, according to the complaints, have a direct impact on the ball’s movement and the overall technical execution of play. Adrien Rabiot, a French player, noted after a match that the pitch surface appeared highly resistant, comparing it to artificial turf and describing it as “very hard,” which resulted in unpredictable ball trajectories. William Saliba, a defender, echoed similar criticisms regarding the pitch conditions faced by the French squad.
Furthermore, complaints of this nature have also been voiced by members of the Brazilian national team, including star player Vinicius Junior, who previously raised concerns about the playing surface. These collective observations point to a consistent theme of difficulty related to the stadium’s pitch maintenance during the tournament’s initial matches.
Topics: #france #brazil #stadium
I hope the pitch quality is addressed before the final match.