Pitch not perfect: World Cup players find weirdness underfoot on innovative grass (opens original article in a new tab)

World Cup players are experiencing varied pitch conditions due to hybrid grass surfaces, with some criticism and praise, while FIFA asserts all pitches meet standards.

• World Cup pitches are made with hybrid grass on artificial sub-surfaces, causing varied player experiences.
• Some pitches, like in New Jersey, faced criticism for their condition, while others like Vancouver received praise.
• FIFA claims all pitches are in excellent condition and meet elite competition standards.