MetLife Stadium hosts World Cup final amid criticism of venue

The FIFA World Cup final will be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The venue, opened in 2010 and home to the NFL’s New York Giants and Jets, has been labelled the "worst stadium" in the United States because it lacks a dedicated fan base, has no roof, is situated far from the urban core and is surrounded by a 28,000‑car parking lot.

For the tournament FIFA installed a hybrid playing surface made of 95 % Bermuda natural grass and 5 % synthetic fibers. Players expressed dissatisfaction: Brazil’s Vinícius Júnior said the grass dried quickly and slowed the game, while French midfielder Adrien Rabiot described it as "more like plastic." No serious injuries were reported. After the final, the hybrid turf will be removed and the stadium will revert to its standard artificial surface for NFL matches.