The FIFA Club World Cup in the United States is facing significant backlash from top football figures, with concerns mounting over poor pitch conditions and extreme heat.
Following Paris Saint-Germain’s 2-0 victory, manager Luis Enrique slammed the temporary grass at Lumen Field, stating the “ball bounced almost like if it were jumping around like a rabbit.”
Enrique, whose team clinched a treble this season, urged FIFA to prioritize pitch quality for the tournament to truly be “the most high-level competition in the world.”
He noted that the dry, inconsistent grass made it difficult for his team to play their usual fluid style.
Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham echoed these sentiments, calling the pitches “not great at all” and “tough on the knees.”
These criticisms follow similar complaints about US pitches during last summer’s Copa America.
Adding to the woes, extreme temperatures have impacted player performance. Borussia Dortmund’s manager described conditions as “like a sauna,” while Chelsea struggled to train in 37°C heat.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, these issues raise red flags, as several of the current Club World Cup venues are NFL stadiums that will require temporary grass installations for the larger tournament. FIFA has yet to comment on the growing concerns.
