Sat Jul 05 01:00:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and rewritten news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

The current FIFA Club World Cup, held in the U.S., is facing criticism for substandard pitch quality. European coaches and players, including Paris Saint-Germain’s Luis Enrique, have complained about the dry, uneven surfaces, which they say impact the quality of play. Arsene Wenger, FIFA’s Global Football Development chief, acknowledges the issue and promises improvements by the 2026 World Cup. Football reporter James Olley also voiced his frustration with the tournament in general.

**News Article:**

**Club World Cup Marred by Substandard Pitches; Wenger Promises Improvement**

ORLANDO, FL – The expanded FIFA Club World Cup in the United States is facing a barrage of criticism over the poor quality of its playing surfaces. Coaches and players, particularly those from European clubs, have voiced concerns about dry, uneven pitches that they say are hindering the competition’s level of play.

Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique was among the first to publicly denounce the conditions, stating after his team’s win over Atlético Madrid, “The ball bounces like a rabbit.” He further criticized the practice of laying natural grass over existing surfaces and the need for excessive watering. “If we’re calling this the best club tournament in the world, it should have world-class facilities,” Enrique stated.

Former Arsenal manager and current FIFA Global Football Development chief Arsene Wenger acknowledged the complaints. “It’s not at the level that the European clubs are used to because it’s not perfect,” Wenger said while on the pitch in Orlando. However, he assured that the issues will be addressed before the 2026 World Cup, which the U.S. will co-host.

The pitch conditions have also drawn the ire of football commentators. On The Football Reporters podcast, James Olley expressed broader frustrations with the Club World Cup tournament as a whole.

FIFA’s commitment to improving pitch quality will be crucial to ensuring the success and credibility of future tournaments hosted in the U.S. and to quell the growing discontent among players and coaches.

Read More