Luis Enrique Slams Club World Cup Pitches: “Ball Bounced Like a Rabbit”

‘Ball Bounces Like a Rabbit’ – Luis Enrique Slams Club World Cup Pitch Conditions

Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has strongly criticised the Club World Cup pitch conditions, claiming the ball bounced “like a rabbit” during his side’s 2-0 win over Seattle Sounders at Lumen Field.

The match was held on temporary hybrid grass installed over the stadium’s usual artificial turf, which Enrique said was unfit for elite football.

“I wouldn’t imagine an NBA court full of holes,” Enrique remarked post-match. “The ball bounced almost like it were jumping around like a rabbit.”

PSG Struggling to Adapt in US Conditions

Despite PSG’s dominant form — having won the Champions League in May and secured a domestic treble — Enrique admitted his squad has had to adjust their style due to poor field quality and extreme heat.

“They watered the field at half-time, but it was dry again in 10 minutes. It’s very different from European pitches,” he added.

The Spanish coach emphasised that FIFA must prioritise pitch quality if it wants to uphold the Club World Cup’s prestige.

Jude Bellingham Adds to Pitch Criticism

Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham echoed the concerns after his side’s 3-1 win over Pachuca:

“The pitches aren’t great at all. It holds up the ball… tough on the knees. Hopefully someone looks at that before the World Cup next year.”

Growing Concerns Ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup

With the 2026 World Cup set to be hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the US, concerns about pitch quality and weather conditions are mounting.

Five Club World Cup stadiums — Mercedes-Benz, MetLife, Hard Rock, Lincoln Financial, and Lumen Field — will also be used for World Cup matches. These venues, primarily NFL stadiums, will have real grass installed temporarily to meet FIFA’s standards.

However, this isn’t the first issue raised. At Copa America 2024, Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez called Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium pitch a “disaster”.

Extreme Heat Also a Major Factor

The weather has posed another threat to player welfare at the Club World Cup. Temperatures have soared past 37°C, causing discomfort and unsafe playing environments.

Borussia Dortmund players watched the first half of their match against Mamelodi Sundowns from the dressing room, with coach Niko Kovac describing the conditions as “like a sauna”.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca revealed that his side has struggled to train due to heat in Philadelphia, raising further concerns about tournament preparation.