"This is more like a golf course, you could putt here," Kovac said after the match at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey on 5/7. "The grass is very short. This is not the kind of grass we usually play on in the Bundesliga and the other two stadiums."

A general view of MetLife Stadium before Dortmund's match against Real Madrid in the FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinals on 5/7/2025. Photo: AP

A general view of MetLife Stadium before Dortmund's match against Real Madrid in the FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinals on 5/7/2025. Photo: AP

MetLife Stadium is a multipurpose facility within the Meadowlands Sports Complex, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, about 8 km west of New York City. The stadium was inaugurated in 2010, replacing the former Giants Stadium, and is currently the home of two American football teams, the New York Giants and the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). With a construction cost of approximately 1.6 billion USD, MetLife was the most expensive stadium in the US at the time of its completion.

Dortmund played its opening group stage match at MetLife, the venue for the FIFA Club World Cup semifinals and final, and also the site of the 2026 World Cup final. The Bundesliga representative also played its remaining two group stage matches at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati and its round of 16 match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

"As you could see, the watering wasn't good enough. I have to say that, because they don't have the right equipment," Kovac continued to complain about the pitch. "When the grass is too dry, it's very uncomfortable."

Coach Niko Kovac looks pensive before the match. Photo: AP

Coach Niko Kovac looks pensive before the match. Photo: AP

In addition to the pitch, Kovac said the summer weather in the US is not suitable for top-level football. "We played twice in Cincinnati. The first time was at 12 p.m. The second time was at 3 p.m., and the pitch temperature was about 45 degrees Celsius," the Croatian coach said. "Such high temperatures are terrible. It's very difficult for anyone, and the players still have to go out there."

At 3 p.m., the temperature in East Rutherford, New Jersey is typically 30 degrees Celsius. Similar or higher temperatures are expected for the 2026 World Cup, with 11 venues in the US, and most lacking roofs or air conditioning.

At the 1994 World Cup, also held in the US, 28 of the 52 matches took place between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to cater to European audiences. Kick-off times for next year’s 104-match tournament will likely be set after the draw in December.

Kovac called for later match times to allow players to perform at a higher intensity and provide a better spectacle for fans. "Today, we played in 35-degree heat. It wasn't much better," he said. "So I suggest the kick-off times should be a little later. As a fan, you want to see intense, competitive football. When it's hot, it's very difficult to play that kind of football."

At MetLife Stadium on 5/7, Dortmund trailed Real Madrid 0-2 after the first half. The German club scored two goals in stoppage time in the second half, sandwiched between a goal by Kylian Mbappe, and lost 2-3.

Hong Duy (according to ESPN)