Borussia Dortmund's coach, Niko Kovač, has voiced strong criticism regarding the playing conditions at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Following Dortmund's narrow 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid in the Club World Cup quarter-final on Saturday, July 5, 2025, Kovač didn't hold back his views on the pitch quality, stating it was "more a golf green, so you can putt here".

Kovač elaborated that the grass was unusually short compared to what his team is accustomed to in the Bundesliga and other stadiums they have played in. Dortmund's Club World Cup journey included matches at Cincinnati's TQL Stadium and Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium, in addition to their games at MetLife Stadium. MetLife Stadium is set to host the semi-finals and final of the Club World Cup, as well as the final of the 2026 World Cup.

Beyond the turf itself, Kovač also pointed out issues with the pitch's irrigation, noting that it wasn't sufficiently watered. He explained that the dryness caused the players' feet to stick to the surface, further hampering their performance.

Adding to the challenging conditions, Kovač highlighted the intense summer heat in the New York area. He noted the difficulty for players to perform at their best in such heat, especially when fans expect aggressive and energetic football. Kovač suggested scheduling kickoff times later in the day to help maintain the game's intensity. The temperature at the 4 p.m. kickoff on Saturday was 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius). Similar, or even higher, temperatures are expected during next year's World Cup, with most US venues lacking roofs or air conditioning.

FIFA has not yet commented on Kovač's remarks. However, his concerns about pitch quality and climatic conditions are expected to spark debate as the 2026 World Cup approaches, particularly with MetLife Stadium being a key venue.

The game between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund attracted a crowd of 76,611. Real Madrid will now face Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-final at MetLife Stadium.