MetLife Stadium pitch condition draws criticism ahead of 2026 World Cup final

France defeated Senegal 3-1 at MetLife Stadium on June 16, with Kylian Mbappé scoring twice to become France’s all‑time top scorer and Lionel Messi netting a hat‑trick for Argentina in a separate match, bringing both players into the race for the World Cup goal‑scoring record held by Miroslav Klose.

Following the games, players and coaches questioned the quality of the MetLife pitch, describing the surface as dry, uneven and difficult to play on. Brazilian forward Vinícius Júnior and French midfielder Adrien Rabiot voiced concerns, while FIFA maintained that all 16 tournament fields, including MetLife, were in “excellent” condition. The stadium’s maintenance crew inspected the grass after each match, but visible wear appeared after just one game, raising doubts about the playing surface ahead of the scheduled final on July 19.