The playing surface at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, which is set to host England vs Panama on Saturday and the World Cup final, has come under heavy scrutiny from players, managers, and fans. The venue's artificial turf has a poor reputation in the NFL, with 14 ACL injuries recorded over six years, and the newly-installed grass pitch for the World Cup has also been fiercely criticised.
Concerns for Thomas Tuchel and England
England manager Thomas Tuchel is concerned as his team is expected to dominate possession and build attacks through passing sequences while trying to break down Panama's deep defensive block. The pitch could hinder England's style of play. Last summer, the surface was heavily criticised during the Club World Cup, and despite minor improvements, high-profile figures including France's Didier Deschamps have since blasted the pitch.
Pitch Composition and Issues
The pitch consists of 'Tehoma 31 Bermuda grass,' which was transported to New Jersey in 600 rolls after being grown on a Turf Farm in North Carolina. Around 1,740 seats in the lower bowl were removed to widen the field to official FIFA dimensions. However, the pitch looks worn and patchy in spots. Stadium officials have installed a special watering mechanism to keep the grass alive amid hot temperatures.
The surface sits on 18 to 24 inches of sand, layered with a permavoid (an air-gap for drainage) and a high-tech vacuum ventilation system to regulate temperature and protect roots. Despite this, players have complained about its quality.
Player and Manager Criticisms
Brazil's Vinicius Junior, after a draw with Morocco, claimed the grass had “dried out,” disrupting Brazil's attacks. France's Didier Deschamps, following a 3-1 win over Senegal, remarked: “It's a special surface, it's different. We need to get used to this. There might be some cement below the grass. You have very short shards of grass here.” Adrien Rabiot described the surface as “hard and rigid.”
FIFA's Defense
FIFA denies any issues, stating: “While there have been comments regarding the visual appearance of certain areas of the playing surface at NYNJ Stadium, FIFA’s Turf Management Team’s assessment is that every pitch is healthy and performing as intended for elite competition. Variations in the appearance of some surfaces, whether on television or in person, do not necessarily reflect the quality, health or playability of the pitch.”
Fan Experience Challenges
Beyond the pitch, the stadium itself poses problems for supporters. There is no roof, leaving some seats exposed to direct sunlight, a health risk during hot temperatures. Train tickets from Manhattan's Penn Station, usually around £9.50 ($12.90), cost a staggering £73 ($98) for a return on World Cup match days. Traffic in East Rutherford gridlocks hours before kick-off due to the area's inability to handle the vehicle volume.
Dane Johnson, a New York Jets fan from Englewood, said: “I'm not really a soccer fan but honestly, this is nowhere near the best stadium the US has to offer. I could name many because here, it's hard to find many people who like it. It's big but that's about it. It takes a long time to get into the parking lots, you expect more considering the cost.”
