Players raise concerns over MetLife Stadium pitch ahead of World Cup final
France and Brazil stars have criticized the temporary grass surface as dry and rigid, with six more matches still to play at the venue
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has made the pitch at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey a central storyline, with players from multiple national teams publicly criticizing the playing surface and raising questions about whether the venue can hold up through the tournament’s biggest remaining matches, including the final on July 19.
What players are actually saying
France midfielder Adrien Rabiot was among the first to go public with his frustrations, describing the MetLife pitch as hard and rigid following France’s match against Senegal on June 17.
Brazil’s Vinicius Junior raised a specific problem after Brazil faced Morocco: the surface dries out quickly, particularly in the second half of games.
MetLife Stadium is primarily a football venue hosting the New York Giants and New York Jets during the NFL season, which means its default surface is artificial turf. For the World Cup, a hybrid grass pitch with automated irrigation was installed specifically for the tournament. Based on player feedback, the second-half drying issue suggests either the system isn’t running during matches or it can’t keep up with evaporation rates on hot days.
FIFA’s response and the credibility gap
FIFA addressed the complaints on June 21, insisting that all 16 tournament pitches are in excellent condition and meet high standards for both player safety and playability.
During the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, the venue drew similar complaints about its playing surface, with players noting a slow pitch that affected the flow of matches.
Six more matches are scheduled at MetLife Stadium before the tournament wraps up, culminating in the World Cup final on July 19.
What this means for the tournament and beyond
The 2026 World Cup is the first to be held across three countries, with the US, Canada, and Mexico sharing hosting duties. Having the flagship venue draw repeated complaints about something as fundamental as the grass undercuts that showcase narrative.
For the 82,000-plus spectators inside MetLife Stadium on final day, and for the players whose careers are defined by moments in matches like these, the difference between a good surface and a bad one is the difference between a highlight and a hospital visit.