The 2024 Copa América opener between Argentina and Canada was marred by poor field conditions, prompting concerns about how this issue could impact the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Players described the pitch at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta as feeling "like a trampoline" or "like walking on a stage" that was "hollow". Both defenders Cristian Romero and goalkeeper Emi Martinez criticized the temporary grass surface, labeling it a "disaster" and asserting that it was not suitable for international players.

The Copa América, which is being hosted by different venues across the United States, has had several makeshift surfaces laid down for the tournament. Many of the stadiums involved are typically NFL venues, with six of them featuring artificial turf. International soccer has traditionally been averse to synthetic surfaces due to concerns about player health and the impact on the flow of the game.

For high-profile soccer events like the Copa América and the forthcoming 2026 World Cup, grass fields are brought in and installed either on top of or instead of the artificial turf. However, the replacement of turf with grass does not automatically guarantee an international-standard playing surface. Over the years, numerous foreign players and coaches have complained about the grass fields, highlighting issues such as poor fusion between grass panels, excessive firmness or softness, and unevenness.

The Argentine goalkeeper, Martinez, admitted that the field conditions made the game more challenging for his team. This has raised concerns about how these complaints might affect the World Cup, which will take place entirely at NFL venues in the United States. Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta is set to host eight World Cup games, including a semifinal.

However, the fields installed for the World Cup will differ from those at the Copa América, with a more intensive preparation process. FIFA has made pitch improvement a top priority since the United States was selected as a co-host for the 2026 World Cup. Throughout the stadiums, irrigation and ventilation systems are being installed, and carefully designed grass is being cultivated. FIFA has even enlisted the help of experts from U.S. universities to study best practices in grass-growing, emphasizing the meticulous planning and costly demands needed to ensure that the fields meet the required standards.

The challenge of converting the pitches to natural grass is acknowledged by Heimo Shrigi, the chief of the 2026 World Cup. He expressed the difficulty in maintaining a natural grass surface for the duration of the tournament. The process of replacing the turf with grass for the World Cup has already begun, several years in advance, to guarantee optimal playing conditions.

Despite the challenges, both FIFA and the stadium officials are committed to providing top-notch playing surfaces for the 2026 World Cup. The Copa América field conditions have highlighted the importance of addressing this issue to ensure that the world's grandest sporting event unfolds without any hindrances or compromises.

In the upcoming Copa América matches, venues like MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, SoFi Stadium in California, Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, AT&T Stadium in Texas, and NRG Stadium in Houston will also undergo similar processes of replacing their artificial turf with temporary grass. The concern for field conditions lingers, but with the ongoing preparations for the World Cup, there is optimism that the playing surfaces will meet the highest international standards, ensuring the success of the tournament.