One of the only things more fun than Yay Sweepstakes this summer for many has been watching the FIFA Club World Cup in the USA, but not everyone has been impressed with the newly expanded competition
Jude Bellingham, a Real Madrid and England superstar, has voiced his concerns about a specific aspect of the tournament.
Following Real Madrid's latest win at the Club World Cup, Bellingham's critique of the tournament overshadowed the team's 3-1 triumph over Pachuca. The English midfielder, who has been thriving in his debut season with Los Blancos, directed his criticism squarely at FIFA, highlighting a controversial issue with the tournament's playing conditions.
Bellingham broke the silence on an issue that had been quietly concerning other professionals. His candid post-match remarks have since gone viral:
"The pitches aren't great here, honestly. The ball barely bounces. It’s tough on the knees."
These words have become a rallying point for wider criticism about the standard of facilities at this year's Club World Cup. As the U.S. prepares to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Bellingham's honesty has added weight to already mounting concerns.
In an interview with Sky Sports, Bellingham elaborated on his concerns. He explained that the poor pitch conditions not only affect the quality of play but also take a physical toll on the players:
"The ball barely bounces, and it holds up the play. The way the pitch grips under your boots is tough on the knees. Hopefully they’ll look into that going into the World Cup next year".
The midfielder also highlighted the physical strain of playing in such conditions, especially when coupled with an already packed schedule:
"I’m definitely feeling it. You’ve already got 50 to 60 games in your legs and in this heat, you can definitely feel it. But we’re going to push through these five more games to bring home another title".
Bellingham is not the only one to voice concerns about the state of the pitches in the US. Luis Enrique, manager of European champions Paris Saint-Germain, has also been critical. The Spaniard said the "ball bounced like a rabbit" during his side's win against the Seattle Sounders.
Reports have revealed that the pitch at MetLife was laid hastily, just five days before kickoff, over a synthetic NFL surface. Despite assurances from local officials that the turf would meet FIFA standards, players have described the ground as patchy, slow, and injury-prone.
Bellingham's critique of the FIFA Club World Cup has brought attention to the importance of maintaining high-quality facilities for such prestigious tournaments.
As the US prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, these concerns must be addressed to ensure the best possible conditions for the players and the quality of the games.
