France midfielder Adrien Rabiot criticized the playing surface at New York New Jersey Stadium after Les Bleus opened their World Cup campaign with a 3-1 victory over Senegal. The 31-year-old, who assisted Bradley Barcola's second goal, described the pitch as feeling more like an artificial surface - hard and rigid underfoot.

Rabiot's concerns mirror those of Brazil's Vinicius Junior, who highlighted the pitch's rapid drying during his side's 1-1 draw with Morocco. Both players noted how the surface becomes sluggish in the second half, disrupting their teams' rhythm and attacking play.

The 78,576-capacity venue, home to NFL franchises the New York Giants and Jets, installed a temporary grass surface specifically for the World Cup. However, players are already questioning whether this setup meets tournament standards ahead of high-stakes matches.

With England set to face Panama there on June 27 and the World Cup final scheduled for July 19, these early complaints raise serious questions about playing conditions for football's biggest stage. The pitch issues could significantly impact team performances in the tournament's decisive moments.