PSG-Real Madrid: Modern stadium but "trash" pitch... Why MetLife Stadium isn't unanimously popular

After their victories in the 8th and quarter-finals of the Club World Cup against Inter Miami (4-0) and then Bayern Munich (2-0) in the impressive Mercedez-Benz Stadium , the PSG players have a meeting in New Jersey, at the Metlife Stadium, for the semi-final against Real Madrid and the reunion with Kylian Mbappé .

A high-stakes match that will be played in an 82,500-seat arena, slightly larger than the Stade de France. Built in 2010, MetLife Stadium usually hosts New York's two NFL teams, the Jets and the Giants, as well as various events such as concerts (U2, Beyoncé, and the Rolling Stones have already performed there).

When it was built, it was the most expensive stadium ever built in the United States, with an estimated cost of $1.6 billion (€1.36 billion). An exorbitant sum for a venue that is aesthetically unremarkable. It doesn't even have a roof, and therefore no air conditioning. The reason for this is disagreements over financing. The players will therefore be more exposed to the heat than in Atlanta.

The stadium is customizable to suit the teams it hosts. It features 1,350 photovoltaic panels with programmable LED lighting. Four screens are located in the four corners, a video ribbon surrounds the stands, and the stadium features cutting-edge technology.

All of these elements make MetLife Stadium a popular choice among spectators. Especially since it's renowned for offering exceptional views. It has been named "Best Stadium in the World" several times by Billboard magazine.

Another feat is that the venue stands out for its security facilities, to the point of reaching the top of the "Security 500" ranking, which rewards the most efficient sports venues in terms of security for several years.

Finally, in terms of ecology, the stadium is not left out: 40,000 tonnes of recycled steel were used and the seats are made of recycled plastic.

But if the stadium has been talked about since the start of the competition, it's not only for its positive aspects. Some players and coaches have complained about the poor quality of the pitch. However, it was usually synthetic for American football matches, but it was completely replaced with natural grass to host the Club World Cup matches.

But its quality is far from unanimous: "It's a different pitch than those found in Europe. I had the impression that the pitch was a little soft, not dry enough. The ball wasn't moving as fast as we're used to," said Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac after the group match against Fluminense on June 17. In the NFL, the pitch is also a source of debate. It was described as "trash" by Jets receiver Garrett Wilson.

A flaw that raises all the more questions since the MetLife Stadium will host the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup .