FIFA defends MetLife pitch as Saliba, Deschamps and fans criticise surface ahead of England vs Panama

FIFA has issued a formal defence of the MetLife Stadium playing surface after France players and managers openly criticised the pitch during the opening week of the 2026 World Cup, with England set to face Panama at the same New Jersey venue on June 27.

France centre-back William Saliba was among the most vocal critics following his side’s victory over Senegal. “I must admit I was a bit surprised by the state of the pitch for the first match in New York,” Saliba told reporters. “It’s clear the pitch was more like artificial turf and it was very hard. The pitch wasn’t great.”

France manager Didier Deschamps echoed those concerns in a press conference, suggesting that rain could improve conditions. “The pitch in New York was really tough, it took a lot out of the players’ muscles,” Deschamps said. “If there is some rain, good, because the grass will be faster and the quality will be better, much better than the one in New York.”

FIFA responded to the mounting criticism with a statement defending years of preparation. “FIFA has invested more than five years in meticulous and collaborative research, testing and innovation, working closely with leading turf experts, stadium operators and football stakeholders, to deliver the best possible playing surfaces for players,” the governing body said.

FIFA added that all 16 World Cup stadiums remain in “excellent condition from both a playability and player safety perspective,” and that visual variations in the surface “do not necessarily reflect the quality, health or playability of the pitch.”

The stadium, officially renamed New York New Jersey Stadium for the tournament, has also drawn criticism from fans on social media, with some calling for matches to be relocated. England and Panama both enter their Group L finale needing a result, adding further scrutiny to the condition of the surface on which the game will be decided.