MetLife World Cup Pitch Draws Complaints Before 6 More Games as FIFA Defends 16 Venues
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 21
MetLife World Cup Pitch Draws Complaints Before 6 More Games as FIFA Defends 16 Venues
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 21
Summary
Two matches into its World Cup schedule, MetLife Stadium’s field is already drawing player and coach complaints ahead of six more games, including the July 19 final.
Vinicius Junior called the surface dry and slow after Brazil-Morocco, while France’s Adrien Rabiot and Didier Deschamps described it as hard, rigid and "special" after France’s 3-1 win over Senegal.
FIFA rejected the criticism, saying all 16 tournament pitches remain in "excellent" condition for playability and safety despite worn-looking patches seen on television and social media.
Ground crews have been repairing, watering and monitoring the North Carolina-sourced grass around the clock, with moisture and firmness checks before and during matches as heat threatens to dry it out.
MetLife also faced pitch criticism during last summer’s Club World Cup, making each remaining match a test run before a final that organizers have left a 2-week recovery window to prepare for.