Ian Wright has publicly criticized the condition of the World Cup final pitch at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, describing it as "ridiculous, bobbly and poor." The former Arsenal striker stated on ITV that the game "shouldn't be on it."
The pitch has drawn criticism throughout the tournament, appearing dry and patchy during Sunday night's final between Spain and Argentina. Players, including Lionel Messi, reportedly struggled with the uneven surface, which caused the ball to bobble.
"For a World Cup final this pitch is ridiculous, it's poor," Wright commented during the first half. "I think Spain are playing and showing how good they are because even on a bobbly, dry pitch like this, they're doing really good stuff."
This sentiment was echoed by other football figures. Brazil star Vinicius Jr had previously noted that the pitch's tendency to dry out quickly in the heat slowed down the game and disrupted play. French coach Didier Deschamps also commented on the venue, stating the pitch was "really tough" and "took a lot out of the players' muscles."
The 80,000-capacity MetLife Stadium's turf is natural grass laid over an artificial surface, which can contribute to rapid drying during high temperatures. The stadium's location near New York City also meant it was affected by severe thunderstorms and flooding in the hours preceding the final, though concerns about the pitch predated the weather event.
Wright's remarks came before a lengthy 30-minute halftime show that featured performances by Shakira, Burna Boy, Justin Bieber, and Madonna, with appearances by football legends Ronaldinho and Ronaldo. The halftime entertainment also drew mixed reactions from pundits. Wayne Rooney, speaking on the BBC, bluntly stated his favorite part of the show was when it ended. Ian Wright suggested Justin Bieber could have performed something more upbeat, while Roy Keane found it an "anti-climax" but acknowledged the stadium crowd likely enjoyed it.
A number of celebrities were in attendance for the final, including Tom Cruise, President Donald Trump, Timothee Chalament, Kylie Jenner, Mick Jagger, Pharrell Williams, Victoria Beckham, and Will Ferrell.