East Rutherford, July 18: The hybrid grass pitch at MetLife Stadium has divided opinion throughout the FIFA World Cup, with players and coaches offering contrasting views ahead of Sunday’s final between Argentina and Spain.
Unlike the stadium’s usual artificial turf, the World Cup surface is natural grass reinforced with synthetic fibres to reduce divots and tears. However, several players have described it as unusually fast, firm and, at times, hard on the body.
Brazil forward Vinicius Junior said after his side’s opening game that “the field is not helping”, while France coach Didier Deschamps described it as “special” in a negative sense, saying it put extra strain on players’ muscles. Midfielder Adrien Rabiot also criticised the surface, although he admitted it had improved by the time France returned for their knockout match.
Norway coach Stale Solbakken, however, felt heavy rain before his team’s match against Senegal transformed the pitch, making it quicker and smoother. “The rain made the pitch much, much better,” he said, adding he was more concerned about dry conditions.
England coach Thomas Tuchel also noted the pitch was fast and slightly uneven, but said it remained “good, playable, and no one complained.”
Neither Argentina nor Spain has played at the venue during the tournament, adding an element of uncertainty before the final.FIFA said it spent more than five years preparing the hybrid surface, with extensive testing, monitoring and maintenance, including adjustments to irrigation after heavy rain during Norway’s group-stage match. The governing body said the objective was to deliver the highest standards of performance, consistency and player safety.
A 13-day gap between the last match at the venue and the final was built into the schedule to allow the pitch to recover and be prepared for Sunday’s showpiece.
Heavy rain forecast on Saturday could again influence how the surface plays, potentially making conditions similar to those during Norway’s rain-soaked encounter. (AP)
