Bellingham voices concern over pitch conditions ahead of 2026 World Cup | OneFootball

Jude Bellingham has voiced his concerns over the playing conditions in the United States ahead of next year’s World Cup.

The Real Madrid star was amongst the scorers as Los Blancos recorded their first win at the Club World Cup against Pachuca in Charlotte despite having Raul Asencio sent off seven minutes in.

Whilst the weather conditions during the tournament have been described as “like a sauna’ by Borussia Dortmund head coach Niko Kovac, the condition of the playing surfaces have also been criticised since the competition kicked off.

The pitch of the Met Life Stadium, which will host the final on 13 July, was heavily criticised by Palmeiras and Porto after they played out a goalless draw, being called “dry” and “slow” before conditions improved after rain hit New Jersey.

The stadium is usually shared by the NFL’s New York Giants and New York Jets, with the two teams playing on artificial turf.

Bellingham and Real played at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, and the 21-year-old was far from impressed with the surface he had to play on.

“The pitches aren’t great here I’ve got to say,” Bellingham said. “I know it’s the same for everyone but I’m only saying it because you asked me, but the pitches aren’t great at all.

“It holds up the ball, it barely bounces, it’s tough on the knees as well. Hopefully someone will look at that going into the World Cup next year.

“It’s important that we protect the players as well as giving the fans a spectacle and giving them great games like today.”

FIFA rules say that this year’s Club World Cup and the 2026 World Cup must be played on natural grass after further backlash last summer when the United States hosted the Copa America.

The win over Pachuca was Bellingham‘s 61st game of the season, and with the excessive heat and demanding schedule, he acknowledged the physical toll the tournament is having on his body.

“I’m definitely feeling it (the fatigue)… you’ve already got 50 to 60 games in your legs and in this heat, you can definitely feel it. But the way I and the team are approaching it is that it’s five more games of graft and everything we’ve got to try and bring home another title.”