2026 WorldWorld Cup Final Pitch Felt More Like Artificial Surface – Rabiot
EAST RUTHERFORD (New Jersey), June 17 (Bernama-PA Media/dpa) -- France's Adrien Rabiot has criticised the standard of the pitch at the New York New Jersey Stadium, saying it felt “more like an artificial surface,” PA Media/dpa reported.
Midfielder Rabiot played the full match as France beat Senegal 3-1 on Tuesday in their Group I opener at the venue which will host the World Cup final on July 19.
“The pitch, I don’t even know if you can call it that. It felt more like an artificial surface – quite hard and quite rigid,” Rabiot told reporters.
Brazil forward Vinicius Junior had complained about the surface after the 1-1 draw with Morocco on Saturday, saying the dry pitch had created a “very sluggish” game.
The New Jersey stadium, over the Hudson River from New York City, is due to host eight World Cup matches in total.
-- BERNAMA-PA MEDIA/dpa
