Remember those terrible pitches at last summer's Copa America? Players were fuming, calling the fields a 'disaster' as grass overlays ripped apart during matches. Now, FIFA is determined not to repeat those mistakes for the 2026 World Cup.
The football governing body is using next summer's expanded Club World Cup as a testing ground. This tournament will feature 32 teams playing across 12 US venues - many of which are NFL stadiums with artificial turf.
Stars like Mbappé, Haaland, and Kane will compete on these new surfaces. It's essentially a dress rehearsal for the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada.
What Went Wrong at Copa America?
The problems at Copa America were pretty obvious. CONMEBOL installed temporary grass overlays on top of artificial turf just days before matches. These fields came in sections with visible seams that would break apart during games.
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez didn't hold back, calling Mercedes-Benz Stadium's pitch a 'disaster.' USMNT midfielder Weston McKennie agreed, saying: 'You're playing on a football field with laid grass that's all patchy, and it breaks up every step you take.'
Five venues will host both tournaments: Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Hard Rock Stadium (Miami), Lumen Field (Seattle), Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia), and MetLife Stadium (New Jersey). Most present the same challenge - they're designed for NFL with artificial turf.
FIFA's New Pitch Solution
Unlike CONMEBOL, FIFA won't use overlays or last-minute installations. Their solution? 'Shallow pitches' that replace the synthetic base entirely and can last for 60 days without replacement.
These fields feature a hybrid of real and artificial grass, cut into strips and hydraulically pressed together. They sit on a drainage layer that keeps the grass properly watered but not soggy.
FIFA already tested this approach during Nations League matches at SoFi Stadium in March. USMNT players described it as 'pretty decent' though 'heavier' than usual pitches.
For some venues, FIFA will install the grass up to two months before the tournament begins. This longer preparation time should help avoid the rushed installations that plagued Copa America.
The stakes couldn't be higher for FIFA. The 2026 World Cup will be the largest ever with 48 teams, and fans are already wondering if stadiums will be ready after last summer's debacle.
For bettors, these pitch improvements could significantly impact game quality and potentially reduce the advantage that teams accustomed to artificial surfaces might have had. Games should flow more naturally, likely benefiting technical teams that rely on precise passing.
The 2025 Club World Cup featuring clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Inter Miami will be the real test. If FIFA gets it right, we're in for a smoother, more technically sound World Cup in 2026.
