Atlanta, Georgia – Soccer players in the Copa América tournament have raised concerns about the playing surface at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Following the opening match on Thursday night, Argentina’s manager Lionel Scaloni criticized the quality of the grass, stating that it impacted his team’s performance in their 2-0 victory over Canada.
According to reports, the grass had been installed just four days before the match, sparking complaints from multiple players about its uneven and bumpy texture. Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez described the state of the pitch as a “disaster” and emphasized the need for improvement to elevate the tournament’s level to that of the European Championship.
The Copa América matches are being held in various NFL stadiums across the United States, with a significant turnout of over 70,000 spectators for the opener at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Despite the current turf conditions, plans are being discussed to potentially replace the surface with grass from the same farm to meet the standards for future events, such as the World Cup in 2026.
The upcoming match at the same venue between the United States and Panama is scheduled for Thursday, June 27th, where adjustments to the playing surface may be implemented to ensure a smoother playing experience for the teams. It is essential to address these issues promptly to provide a suitable environment for the players and maintain the integrity of the tournament.