Club World Cup Pitch Quality Slammed by Luis Enrique

Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique issued sharp criticism of pitch conditions at the Club World Cup, comparing the ball’s movement to that of “a rabbit” after a 2-0 win over Seattle Sounders.

The match was held at Lumen Field—home to both the Seattle Seahawks and Sounders—where artificial turf had been swapped for temporary natural grass to meet tournament standards. That change didn’t satisfy Enrique.

“I wouldn’t imagine a NBA court full of holes,” said the 55-year-old. “What I really care about is the state of the field of play, and I say this on the day we’ve won. The ball bounces almost like if it were jumping around like a rabbit.”

The victory cemented PSG’s place at the top of Group B. Enrique’s side entered the tournament fresh from a Champions League triumph over Inter Milan and a domestic treble.

He added that the surface at Lumen Field, despite being changed, presents challenges for his team’s playing style. “Lumen Field is an example, it used to be artificial turf and now it is natural grass and they have to water it by hand—they did so at half-time but the field was dry again in 10 minutes.”

He acknowledged that the surface in the U.S. differs significantly from what they’re used to back in Europe. “The grass is different and therefore it is not so easy to have the same smoothness to play our style – but we did adapt well and we’re very happy.”

Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham echoed concerns after his side’s 3-1 win over Pachuca, calling the surfaces physically taxing. “The pitches aren’t great at all. It holds up the ball, the ball barely bounces. It’s tough on the knees as well. Hopefully there’s someone who will look at that going into the World Cup next year.”

Five venues used in this year’s Club World Cup—Lumen Field, MetLife Stadium, Hard Rock Stadium, Lincoln Financial Field, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium—are also set to host matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Each typically features artificial turf but will be converted to grass to comply with tournament regulations.

Complaints about American pitches are mounting. At last year’s Copa America, Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez deemed Mercedes-Benz Stadium “a disaster” after beating Canada. The governing body for South American football, Conmebol, responded through its competitions director Fredirico Nantes, who stated that “the grass in Atlanta posed absolutely no threat.”

The stadium is slated to host eight World Cup matches, one of which will be a semi-final.

Extreme weather has also taken a toll during the current Club World Cup. Borussia Dortmund’s bench remained indoors for the first half of their match due to heat. Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca noted his side struggled to train in Philadelphia, where the thermometer hit 37°C.