Niko Kovač (foto: Getty Images)
Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovač criticized the pitch and heat at MetLife Stadium after his team’s 3-2 Club World Cup loss to Real Madrid.
Niko Kovač didn’t hold back after Borussia Dortmund’s 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid, expressing frustration with both the pitch conditions and oppressive heat during Saturday’s Club World Cup quarterfinal at MetLife Stadium.
“It’s more like a golf green—you could putt here,” the Dortmund coach quipped about the surface, criticizing the short and slick grass, which he said was not remotely comparable to what Bundesliga teams are used to. Dortmund had also played at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati and Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, but it was MetLife—set to host the 2026 World Cup final—that drew the sharpest criticism.
Kovač added that the lack of proper irrigation systems only worsened matters:
“As you saw, the watering wasn’t good enough… When it’s too dry, it’s unbelievable. It’s sticking.”
On top of the pitch issues, high temperatures added another layer of difficulty. The kickoff temperature was 30°C (86°F), and earlier in the tournament Dortmund had played in Cincinnati at a staggering 45°C (113°F).
“This is not amazing. This is very hard for the players,” Kovač said. “Today was 35°C (95°F). Not much better, to be honest.”
The Croatian coach, who has been vocal throughout the tournament about climate-related challenges, urged FIFA to adjust kickoff times in future editions.
“It would be better to play later in the day. Football at this level needs intensity, aggression, up-and-down transitions. You can’t expect that when it’s boiling hot,” he explained.
With the 2026 World Cup set to be played in 11 U.S. cities, many without roofs or air-conditioning, Kovač’s remarks add to a growing conversation about whether summer matches in North America can offer optimal conditions for elite football.