Argentina will make its debut on an artificial turf field against Canada

The first day is getting closer and closer Argentina You will do it in a city atlanta As we reviewed; Specifically, it will be in a stadium with controversial turf, but with first-class facilities, which will be visually moving for both those present or those watching from any corner of the world.

Argentina vs Canada

Argentina is seeking to defend its title on American soil with Lionel Messi, and it will begin this path in a stadium that has sparked controversy because of its stadium. In Atlanta, Georgia, Mercedes-Benz Stadium will not only host the Argentina-Canada match, but a week later it will host the confrontation between the local team and Panama.

It has a capacity of 71,000 spectators and is a joint stadium between Atlanta United, a Major League Soccer club, and the Atlanta Falcons, an American soccer team.

Complex artificial grass

The stage will be one of the newest stages at the Cup, since its opening in 2017, and will stand out as one of the inevitable luxuries it offers, its roof that can be completely opened or closed. But with an unusual advantage to our eyes in terms of matches of this kind, with our national team, because despite being one of the most modern stadiums, their stadium can cause some headaches for the Scaloni team, as the stadium is made entirely of artificial turf.

With an artificial turf format called FieldTurf CORE, which is a type of carpet where the ball hits differently than natural grass, and is not mixed like some scenarios, for example in Brazil. Without going any further, during the match you can see how the rubber material that fills the field rises after passes or plays by football players.

Colorful fact, in September 2023, Inter Miami played in the same stadium and lost 5-2 to the team of the world champion also, Thiago Almada, who missed the cup, being in the Olympic process alongside Javier Mascherano, heading towards August in Paris.

However, that afternoon, Messi wasn't even on the bench. Before that match, the Argentine star was asked about the pitch, and Messi announced that he did not face any problems playing on artificial turf, as this type of pitch is used in Barcelona's lower categories.

However, let's remember that this type of flooring is closely linked to injuries such as muscle overload, something that the Albiceleste captain suffered in this first semester.

Goodbye to artificial turf in the World Cup

This stadium will host the World Cup, but it will have to be renovated and natural grass installed to host the eight matches scheduled in 2026. As part of the tasks leading up to the World Cup, FIFA made the decision to use the stadiums purely and cleanly. Exclusively will be those that have natural grass. And if they do not have the same (today 7 cities must do so), they must adapt them to be part of the stadiums that have already been confirmed, taking into account playing and climatic conditions and, above all, protecting the footballers from possible injuries.

“This matter has already been discussed, there are agreements and projects with specific dates for when these (natural turf) facilities will be built, and the priority will be the quality of the turf. NFL stadiums that play with artificial turf will convert their fields to turf,” said Manolo Zuberia, FIFA’s competitions director. natural”.