Stadium design origins: Many host venues are American football stadiums that were originally built for a completely different sport.
Because these arenas primarily utilise artificial turf, they lack the foundational infrastructure naturally tailored for elite football matches.
Temporary grass installations: FIFA regulations strictly mandate natural grass, meaning host venues had to lay temporary sod over their existing surfaces.
Despite expensive modifications to raise the pitches and add modern irrigation, these makeshift solutions have struggled to mimic permanent fields.
Hard underlying base: Players have noted that the new grass feels incredibly rigid because it is laid directly over hard foundations like concrete.
