Wenger Vows Better Pitches for 2026 World Cup After Club World Cup Criticism

Arsene Wenger, FIFA's Chief of Global Football Development, has addressed concerns regarding the playing surfaces at the Club World Cup in the United States. While acknowledging the subpar quality, Wenger assured that significant improvements will be made in preparation for the 2026 World Cup, which the U.S. will co-host.

The pitch conditions, characterized by dryness and frequent watering during breaks, have been a point of contention, particularly among coaches and players from European teams participating in the Club World Cup.

"I've been personally on the pitch at Orlando," Wenger, the former Arsenal manager, stated on Saturday. "It's not at the level that the European clubs are used to because it's not perfect, but that will be rectified for the World Cup next year."

Luis Enrique, the coach of Paris Saint-Germain, voiced his concerns early in the expanded Club World Cup tournament. He described the ball's movement on the field with:

"The ball bounces like a rabbit".

Enrique further elaborated on the challenges posed by the current conditions:

"Today, for example, the field used to be artificial turf, and now it's natural grass laid over it, which means it has to be watered manually. It's a big problem for the way we play."

He emphasized the importance of addressing the issue seriously. "FIFA really needs to take this seriously. Not just the stadium fields but also the training pitches. If we're calling 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."