FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, Arsene Wenger has acknowledged the poor pitch conditions during the Club World Cup in the United States. But he promised significant improvements ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The former Arsenal manager admitted that the playing surfaces particularly in Orlando failed to meet the standards expected by top European clubs. Dry pitches and the need for watering during cooling breaks and halftime were among the issues that drew criticism from both coaches and players.
“I’ve been personally on the pitch at Orlando,” Wenger said 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.”