Club World Cup Final Pitch Slammed for Dry, Slow Conditions in New Tournament Setback

Club World Cup Final Pitch Draws Criticism Amid Tournament Troubles

The MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, set to host the 2025 Club World Cup final and the 2026 World Cup final, faced heavy criticism after its debut match in the tournament between Porto and Palmeiras ended in a lackluster 0-0 draw. Players and managers slammed the pitch’s condition, labeling it “dry” and “slow,” sparking concerns just weeks before the showcase final.

[IMAGE: https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/06/16/06/99408979-14815665-image-a-1_1750052108945.jpg
Caption: Players struggled with the MetLife Stadium’s pitch during Porto vs. Palmeiras.]

Pitch Problems Take Center Stage
Palmeiras’ 17-year-old star Estevao—set to join Chelsea next season—highlighted the turf’s poor state: “The ball was slow, which disrupted the game’s rhythm. The rain later helped, but it shouldn’t require weather to fix the pitch.” His manager, Abel Ferreira, joked, “I don’t know who the patron saint of rain is, but we needed it to make the field playable.”

Porto’s coach, Martín Anselmi, agreed: “The pitch caused imprecision, especially when speeding up play. Both teams had to adapt.” The stadium, home to the NFL’s Jets and Giants, typically uses synthetic turf, but FIFA mandates natural grass for its tournaments. The visible struggles raised doubts about its readiness for high-stakes matches.

[IMAGE: https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/06/16/06/99409007-14815665-image-a-2_1750052135768.jpg
Caption: Estevao (left) and managers criticized the turf’s impact on gameplay.]

Tournament Woes Mount for FIFA
The pitch controversy adds to FIFA’s headaches after a rocky start to the expanded 32-team Club World Cup. Two of the first five matches ended goalless, while Bayern Munich’s 10-0 thrashing of semi-professional Auckland City highlighted concerns over unbalanced matchups. Even marquee games disappointed, with PSG routing Atlético Madrid 4-0 in California.

[IMAGE: https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/06/16/06/99409077-14815665-image-a-6_1750052306998.jpg
Caption: Bayern Munich’s 10-0 win over Auckland City underscored competitiveness issues.]

Attendance Struggles
Ticket sales have also underwhelmed. Despite lowering prices, FIFA saw sparse crowds for early games. The Porto-Palmeiras clash drew 46,275 fans—mainly Palmeiras supporters—in the 82,500-seat stadium. Questions linger about fan engagement, particularly for non-marquee fixtures.

Road to Redemption?
With the final looming on July 13, pressure mounts on organizers to improve pitch conditions and address the tournament’s mixed reception. FIFA’s revamped Club World Cup, designed to rival UEFA’s Champions League, risks being remembered for its logistical flaws unless urgent fixes emerge.

As players and fans await solutions, the spotlight remains on MetLife Stadium to deliver a表面 worthy of football’s grandest stage.