FIFA has pushed back against criticism of the playing surface at MetLife Stadium after several World Cup players questioned whether the pitch was fit for elite matches. The venue, which is being used as New York New Jersey Stadium for the tournament, has already hosted two games and is still set for six more, including the final.
Concerns have centered on the surface’s dry, uneven look and the way it has affected play. Brazil forward Vinicius Junior said the heat and weather made the grass dry out quickly and left the game slow, while France midfielder Adrien Rabiot was even harsher in his assessment after France beat Senegal 3-1 there.
Players Say The Surface Is Hard To Trust
Brazil drew 1-1 at the stadium on June 13, and France played there three days later before Senegal returned to the same venue for its next scheduled match. The repeated use of the ground has only intensified concerns, especially with another high-stakes game between Norway and Senegal on the calendar.
Vinicius said the conditions made it difficult to build rhythm, telling reporters that the grass dries out quickly in the heat and slows the game down. Rabiot went further, saying, “The pitch was… I don’t know if I’d even call it that,” before comparing it to an artificial pitch.
FIFA Insists The Pitch Is Safe And Ready
In a statement to The Athletic, FIFA said it has spent more than five years on “meticulous and collaborative research, testing and innovation” with turf experts, stadium operators and football stakeholders. The governing body said the pitches at all 16 World Cup stadiums remain in excellent condition from both a playability and player safety perspective.
FIFA also acknowledged that some areas may look different on television or in person, but said visual changes do not necessarily reflect the quality or health of the surface. It added that pitch management teams test moisture levels, firmness and overall conditions before every match and keep monitoring the surfaces throughout the tournament.
The organization said irrigation plans are adjusted to each venue and matchday conditions, with surfaces watered before and during matches under established protocols. FIFA’s position is that the venue remains capable of delivering a safe, consistent and high-performing surface for the remainder of the tournament, including the final on July 19.