Grass fields vs. artificial turf for the Copa América: Mercedes-Benz stadium and other venues under scrutiny

With two years until the 2026 World Cup, the United States has been trying to make its stadiums suitable for the competition. The United States has some of the most expensive and modern stadiums in the world, but its largest and most prominent venues are largely configured for other sports.

One of the most discussed compliance issues is the material and condition of playing surfaces. FIFA regulations state that all World Cup matches must be played on natural grass pitches and no artificial grass surfaces are permitted.

Many American stadiums feature primarily artificial grass surfaces and have therefore opted to install temporary natural grass fields on top of the permanent field to comply. This has resulted in poor playing surfaces on numerous occasions over the years, and has been a major talking point ahead of the upcoming World Cup.

The problem appears to be coming to a head at the 2024 Copa América, which will be played in the United States. One of the first places to receive criticism for its playing surface is Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, where in the opening match of the tournament between Argentina and Canada players complained about the field conditions.

That is also the site of the USMNT’s second group stage match of the tournament, against Panama on June 27.

Are the Mercedes-Benz Stadium and other Copa América fields grass or grass?

Like other Copa America venues, Mercedes-Benz Stadium has installed a temporary grass surface for the 2024 tournament.

Eleven of the 14 stadiums used for the Copa América are NFL stadiums. Six of them usually host football games on artificial grass. In those situations, grass fields are installed, either on top of the grass or in place of it on the cement floor of a stadium when high-profile soccer games are played.

What the Argentine players said about the Atlanta field for the Copa América

Argentina had a relatively poor performance against Canada in the opening match of the Copa América 2024 in Atlanta, notably failing to capitalize on numerous scoring opportunities, but managed to claim a 2-0 victory.

Many of the players, veterans of the team that won the 2021 Copa América and the 2022 FIFA World Cup, complained about the temporary grass surface of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium field.

The most aggressive comments came from outspoken goalkeeper Emi “Dibu” Martínez, who complained about the hardness of the field, which affected his ability to control the ball at a good pace. “The field is a disaster,” Martínez said, calling it “very rugged.”

“They put grass on top of a synthetic one and the ball bounced like a trampoline every time we received it.”

This is a common complaint about temporary grass fields over synthetics, as the field does not have the depth necessary to cushion the ball as a permanent grass surface would. Thus, players are often caught off guard by the rebound of the ball, as if the game were being played on cement.

“We talked about it after the warm-up,” said striker Julián Álvarez after the game in which he scored the first goal. “I wasn’t in the best condition, that doesn’t favor our game.”

Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni also spoke about this in his post-match press conference. “We have known for seven months that we were going to play here and two days ago they changed the grass. We did not play on a decent field. It was similar to [the defeat to Saudi Arabia at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar] but with the difference that we played there on a suitable field.

“It can’t be done like that.”

USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter hopeful ahead of Atlanta game

USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter is less worried. Before his team’s game against Panama in Atlanta, he was asked his opinion on the field inspection, given the criticism from Argentina. Berhalter said they will hope for the best but prepare for the situation.

“It’s hard to say now,” Berhalter told reporters before the game. “What I will say is that it looks to be in very good condition. We’re not sure how it will perform, we’re not sure about the base layers and the things they installed it on, but it will be the same for both teams.”

Berhalter was also asked how he would prepare his team given the unfamiliar nature of the field. “I don’t share the same opinion as the Argentine team because we haven’t had that experience, so it’s very difficult for us to judge that. We will prepare the boys to check the different types of footwear, see how the ball rolls, see how it bounces. ..Those are some important things that we will instruct you on,” he said.

Yunus Musah was more positive. “We have to see it right now. It looks good and it’s wet, so it’s good that the ball is moving quickly. We’ll have to see when we play with it.”

Peru coach hints that the injury could be linked to the state of the field

Atlanta is not the only course that has generated criticism from Copa América participants. Peru coach Jorge Fossati speculated that an Achilles tendon injury to captain Luis Advíncula in their first match against Chile could have been due to the pitch at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

The field at AT&T Stadium is similar to that in Atlanta, with temporary turf installed over grass, and criticism of it after the opening game was also similar to that in Atlanta, with the coach complaining about its excessive hardness.

Fossati went a step further and suggested it could also be the cause of a potentially serious injury.

“He came out of nowhere,” Fossati said of Advincula injury. “I realize that today this is a field of grass, but it is not normal grass. It is not grass that is born and grows.” [naturally]. It is an herb that they bring from other places. That may be a slightly harder surface and may affect you in that exact spot. [the Achilles]. I’m not a doctor but I’ve been involved with football for a few years. “I know Achilles tendon injuries can be caused by that as well.”

Fortunately for Peru, Advíncula’s injury was not as serious as initially believed and he could potentially return at some point during the Copa América.

USMNT’s Weston McKennie ‘frustrated’ by poor Copa America fields

American players and coaches generally do not speak openly about field conditions, even when warranted. They have often deflected questions about pitch conditions both home and away to focus on more controllable game narratives.

However, criticism of the Copa America fields is even worrying some of the USMNT players. American midfielder Weston McKennie said before their first match against Bolivia that “it’s frustrating, especially as a player.”

McKennie continued: “Every time you come here to America, you play in a 70,000-capacity stadium, but 25,000 show up. You don’t really have an atmosphere. And then you’re playing on a soccer field, with grass that’s everything irregular and breaks with every step you take. It’s frustrating.

US Soccer conducts research to produce quality grass fields

In preparation for the 2026 World Cup, FIFA and US Soccer have enlisted the help of scientists and researchers to develop better techniques for installing temporary grass surfaces.

FIFA announced that has partnered with a combined task force from the University of Tennessee and Michigan State University to “inspect turf research and development facilities and meet with teams working to create the perfect fields for the World Cup.” FIFA 26″.

They’ve built a “state-of-the-art shadow house” at UT to “replicate the conditions inside a domed stadium.” Meanwhile, at MSU, FIFA has installed “a 23,000-square-foot asphalt pad…to replicate the concept of placing turf on stadium floors.”

Reducing costs to produce sustainable surfaces is the ultimate goal. “The ability to produce a harvestable turfgrass in up to 16 to 20 weeks is paramount,” said Dr. John Sorochan, professor of turfgrass science and management at UT. “We can do something very quickly and we can also reduce transportation costs. In theory, we can probably do this closer to urban areas and occupy a large, unoccupied parking lot and grow grass near the stadiums. This also reduces costs Of transport”.

Stadiums and field surfaces of the Copa América 2024

Here are the stadiums that will be used in the 2024 Copa América and their permanent surfaces. During the tournament, all matches will be played on grass, whether temporarily installed or natural.