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World Cup Pitch Woes: Players Slam Playing Surface
24 Jun
Summary
- Players from France and Norway noted the stadium pitch was unusually hard.
- Norway's team suggested the surface resembled artificial turf, potentially suiting them.
- FIFA stated all pitches are healthy and performing as intended for elite competition.
France and Norway, both with perfect records in Group I, share a concern about the World Cup final venue's pitch quality. Norway's delegation described the East Rutherford stadium's surface as unusually hard, with some noting its resemblance to artificial turf, a familiar surface for many players due to Norway's climate. Manager Stale Solbakken commented on the pitch being "rock hard" and having "almost no grass."
Conversely, France's manager, Didier Deschamps, expressed that the pitch in New York was tough, particularly concerning muscular fatigue. He contrasted it with the field in Philadelphia, which he believed offered better playing conditions after rain. Despite visible wear and tear on the New Jersey pitch during France's earlier match, FIFA has stated that their Turf Management Team assesses every pitch as healthy and performing as intended for elite competition.
The venue is scheduled to host eight matches during the 39-day event, with groundskeeping staff having a two-week break before the final. FIFA oversaw the installation of natural pitches at all 16 World Cup venues across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with the East Rutherford surface installed in early May.
