Wenger: 2026 World Cup Fields Will Surpass Club World Cup Criticisms

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Wenger Acknowledges Deficiencies in Club World Cup Pitches

FIFA’s Head of Global Football Development, Arsene Wenger, admitted that the quality of the playing fields at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States was not ideal. However, he assured that the situation will improve significantly for the 2026 World Cup, which will also be held in the country. The playing fields, which often looked dry and were sprayed with water during breaks or halftime, have been the subject of widespread criticism, especially from coaches and players of the participating European teams.

I was personally on the field in Orlando. It is not at the level that European clubs are used to because it is not perfect, but that will be rectified for next year’s World Cup.

Arsene Wenger
Wenger: 2026 World Cup Fields Will Surpass Club World Cup Criticisms
Los campos de juego en la Copa Mundial de Clubes han generado críticas durante el torneo.
Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique also addressed the issue at the start of the tournament.

The ball bounces like a rabbit. Today, for example, the field used to be artificial turf, and now it’s natural grass placed on top of it, which means it has to be watered manually. It’s a big problem for the way we play.

Luis Enrique
The Spanish coach added that FIFA must take this seriously, not only in the stadiums but also in the training grounds. “If we call this the best club tournament in the world, it should have world-class facilities. I can’t imagine an NBA game played on a court full of holes,” he stated.
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