On the latest episode of “The Football Reporters” podcast, James Olley expressed his discontent with the current state of the Club World Cup, particularly focusing on the poor quality of the playing surfaces in the U.S. Arsene Wenger, FIFA’s Global Football Development chief, acknowledged the shortcomings of the pitches used for this year’s tournament but reassured that improvements would be made in time for the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the United States.
The dissatisfaction has been echoed by various coaches and players, particularly those from the European clubs participating in the event. Wenger admitted that the conditions he observed at Orlando’s pitch did not meet the standards expected by these elite teams. He described the current situation as “not perfect,” but expressed optimism that these issues would be resolved by the upcoming World Cup.
Luis Enrique, the coach of Paris Saint-Germain, notably highlighted the impact of the pitch quality during his team’s initial match of the tournament. He criticized the unevenness of the surface, describing how the ball performs inadequately, which affects the team’s style of play. Enrique called for FIFA to prioritize the conditions not only at the tournament venues but also at training facilities, emphasizing that for a tournament branded as the best in the world, the infrastructure should match that claim.
This feedback from prominent figures in football reflects a larger conversation about the standards of major international tournaments and the need for world-class facilities to ensure the best possible experience for teams and fans alike.
Wenger’s commitment to addressing these concerns could lead to significant improvements, fostering a more competitive atmosphere at future events. The proactive stance taken by FIFA may offer hope for a transformative impact on international football infrastructure.