A Turf War in East Rutherford
Adrien Rabiot, the French midfielder, has become the latest high‑profile figure to question the condition of the pitch at MetLife Stadium, calling it hard and rigid during the World Cup.
His remarks echo concerns raised by Brazil’s Vinicius Junior, who noted that the heat had dried out the surface during the opening match against Morocco, and by Niko Kovač, the Borussia Dortmund manager, who likened the grass to a golf green because of its short fibers.
Didier Deschamps, France’s manager, added that the short grass fibers sit atop a firm base, describing the underlying artificial layer that FIFA mandated for the 2026 tournament.
FIFA has responded by instituting daily checks of moisture, ball roll and firmness, insisting that the temporary natural grass over standard artificial turf must meet strict specifications to ensure consistency across all venues.
The stadium’s history of surface criticism is not new; it was also condemned during the Club World Cup and topped a 2023 poll of NFL players as the league’s least‑favorite field, a reputation that continues to haunt its reputation.
While some venues water their grass at halftime, officials have not confirmed whether MetLife employs a similar sprinkler system, leaving the exact maintenance routine partly opaque.
The venue, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, serves as a focal point for the ongoing debate as the tournament progresses, with players and coaches watching closely to see whether the surface will affect performance on the world’s biggest stage.