5APR

Final Venue: Pitch Still Being Laid in April

2 min read

19:23UTC

The stadium hosting the World Cup Final was still installing its surface in late March, while the USMNT's opening venue is 2.4 yards too narrow.

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Key takeaway

The World Cup Final venue was still laying its pitch in late March with 67 days remaining.

MetLife Stadium was still laying final sections of its hybrid pitch in late March, 67 days before the World Cup Final it is scheduled to host on 19 July. The stadium has undergone an million upgrade programme including pitch replacement, expanded dressing rooms, and a rebuilt press box. ¹

At SoFi Stadium, where the USMNT opens against Paraguay, a 2025 Nations League test pitch "exceeded expectations" per stadium management. An improved version goes in during April. But the pitch measures 72 yards wide, 2.4 yards below FIFA's World Cup standard of 74.4 yards. Approximately 400 lower bowl seats must be removed to achieve the required dimensions. ² Two unnamed stadiums were flagged in mid-March compliance audits for incomplete media tribune installations. FIFA rules require all venues to pass a final audit no later than 45 days before their first match.

Alan Ferguson, FIFA's field management chief, acknowledged the uncertainty: "Obviously, you never know until you actually deliver the pitches." ³ Eight stadiums are converting artificial surfaces to hybrid grass , and the conversion window closes in weeks, not months.

Deep Analysis

In plain English

MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will host the World Cup Final on 19 July. As of late March, workers were still laying the final sections of the grass pitch. The stadium has had an $80 million upgrade. Meanwhile, SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, where the US team opens the tournament against Paraguay, is slightly too narrow for FIFA's standards. About 400 seats in the lower section need to be removed to widen the playing surface to the required size. Two other stadiums were flagged in March inspections for having incomplete press areas.

Sources:Yahoo Sports

Mentions:MetLife Stadium →SoFi Stadium →FIFA →Alan Ferguson →Munich →Copa América →Euro 2024 →USMNT →Los Angeles →New Jersey →World Cup →World Cup Final on 19 July →

First Reported In

Update #5 · Italy Empties Its Federation in 48 Hours

Yahoo Sports· 5 Apr 2026

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