Borussia Dortmund manager Niko Kovac rails against MetLife Stadium grass
Share this @internewscast.com

The complaints about the MetLife Stadium field are unrelenting.

German soccer club Borussia Dortmund was recently knocked out by Real Madrid in the quarterfinals of the FIFA Club World Cup, held on Saturday.

“It’s more like a golf green; you could putt here,” remarked manager Niko Kovač following their narrow 3-2 defeat. “The grass is quite short, unlike the surfaces we play on in the Bundesliga and in the other stadiums.”


Niko Kovac looks on during the Borussia Dortmund-Real Madrid match on July 5, 2025.
Niko Kovač looks on during the Borussia Dortmund-Real Madrid match on July 5, 2025. FIFA via Getty Images

Typically, MetLife Stadium features an artificial turf for Giants and Jets matches, but for FIFA’s requirements, they switched to natural grass for these games.

Kovač preferred the grass fields at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati and Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

“As you saw, the watering wasn’t good enough, I would say, because you don’t have the devices for that,” Kovač said of the MetLife Stadium grass. “When it’s too dry, it’s unbelievable. It’s sticking.”

No matter where you are in the world, you can watch the FIFA Club World Cup for free on DAZN. All you need to get started is an email address. No subscription is required, but you will have to make a free account on the streamer to start watching.

DAZN also has premium, paid options available to enhance your viewing experience with HDR picture, Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound, and fewer ads. DAZN Premium plans begin at $19.99/month.

NFL players have long complained about the turf fields at MetLife Stadium, and the NFL Players Association last month took notice of the decision to install grass for the Club World Cup, but not for NFL games.

Despite the willingness to install a grass field for other sports, Giants owner John Mara has maintained that it would not be sustainable for football, given two teams play at the stadium, the weather and the large number of other events there.


MetLife Stadium field with "Please Stay Off Grass" sign.
Grass fields were installed at MetLife Stadium for the Club World Cup. REUTERS

“I want to get to the point where the experts can tell us that late in the season we can have a safe, playable grass field, and when we get to that point, then maybe we’ll make the switch,” Mara said at last year’s NFL owners meetings. “We’re not there yet.

“With the amount of events in our building, particularly during the football season, having two teams there, and how many times last year we had back-to-back games where it rained during the first game, I can’t imagine what a grass field would’ve looked like on a second day.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
James Patterson claims Marilyn Monroe was murdered in explosive new book theory

Unveiling the Mystery: James Patterson’s Bold New Theory on Marilyn Monroe’s Alleged Murder

Renowned author James Patterson has expressed his belief that the iconic Marilyn…
National Guardsman Andrew Wolfe still ‘fighting for his life’ after DC shooting

National Guardsman Andrew Wolfe in Critical Condition Following Washington, D.C. Shooting

In a harrowing incident in Washington, D.C., West Virginia National Guardsman Andrew…
Afghan national admitted via Operation Allies Welcome charged with making terroristic threat, DHS says

Afghan Evacuee from Operation Allies Welcome Faces Charges for Alleged Threats, DHS Reports

An Afghan national has been taken into custody after allegedly posting a…
Victims in deadly Colorado carjacking crash identified as suspect's ID kept under wraps: 'Incomprehensible'

Identities of Colorado Carjacking Crash Victims Revealed, Suspect’s Name Remains Confidential

Authorities have identified the victims of a tragic car crash in Colorado…
Antifa agitation turns violent in Germany, bolstering Trump administration's foreign terror label

Escalating Antifa Protests in Germany Spark International Debate on Terror Classification

On Saturday, an extensive demonstration featuring activists from the radical group Antifa,…
Ice skating in the Sunshine state: rink opens under Fuller Warren Bridge

Florida’s New Ice Skating Rink Debuts Under Fuller Warren Bridge: A Cool Escape in the Sunshine State

Ice skating enthusiasts can glide across the public rink until January 19th.…
San Francisco doctor's steady hand masters the art of surgery

Discover How a San Francisco Surgeon Perfects Precision in the Operating Room

SAN FRANCISCO — Discipline, creativity, and precision are essential traits for an…
Hegseth slams report on boat strike targeting attack survivors, denies war crimes

Hegseth Criticizes Allegations of Boat Strike on Attack Survivors, Refutes War Crime Claims

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has vehemently dismissed allegations suggesting that he commanded…
National Guardsman shot in DC is 'hanging on,' family pleading for prayer, congressman says

Family Seeks Prayers as National Guardsman Fights for Life After DC Shooting, Congressman Reports

In a pressing call for hope and support, a West Virginia National…
Weather Impact Alert: Freeze warning in place for SE Georgia Saturday with near freezing in Jacksonville

Southeast Georgia Braces for Freeze Warning Saturday; Jacksonville Temperatures Near Freezing

A surge of frigid air ushers in the start of our Thanksgiving…
Airlines work to fix software glitch on A320 aircraft and some flights are disrupted

Airlines Address Software Glitch on A320 Aircraft, Causing Select Flight Delays

As the weekend approached, airlines globally faced a wave of flight cancellations…
Criminal networks exploit US interstates to make human trafficking victims vanish: ‘Real plague’

Uncovering the Hidden Highway: How Criminal Networks Exploit US Interstates for Human Trafficking

An alarming crisis is spreading across the nation’s roadways, leading to the…