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FIFA Needs to Address the Club World Cup Field Issues
Jude Bellingham Was Outspoken About How Bad the Fields Are at Some of the Stadiums
It’s Rough Out There
The Real Madrid game against Pachuca marked their first victory in the Club World Cup 2025. While the scoreboard favored Los Blancos, the match revealed just how demanding the tournament is, especially for players like Jude Bellingham.
A Heavy Burden
After the match, Bellingham didn’t hold back. His comments echoed across soccer news: Club World Cup games are tougher than people think.
The young midfielder pointed to two major issues—brutal heat and, more importantly, poor pitch conditions. Even though FIFA has chosen top-tier stadiums like the emblematic Rose Bowl, the ultra-modern Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and the Hard Rock Stadium, among others, the fields haven’t met expectations. The problem is that most of these stadiums were not designed for soccer butfor American football or concerts.
“The conditions are terrible,” Bellingham said. “The ball doesn’t bounce or roll properly. It’s hard to play quick passes, and it takes a toll on your knees.”
Jude Bellingham isn’t impressed with the pitches at the Club World Cup 😳 pic.twitter.com/VkzyetJLkl
— GOAL (@goal) June 23, 2025
His concern isn’t just about this tournament. Many of these same venues will host 2026 World Cup matches, and Bellingham hopes the issues will be addressed before then.
A Packed Calendar
Even at just 21, Bellingham says he’s starting to feel the wear and tear of a relentless schedule. With close to 60 games last season, there hasn’t been much room to breathe. And there’s no slowing down—Real Madrid is expected to go deep into this tournament, with FIFA Club World Cup betting lines putting them as second favorites at +350.
But nothing’s guaranteed. A slip against RB Salzburg could knock them out early, and seasoned bettors know how unpredictable a bet on soccer can be.
Still, Bellingham and his teammates remain locked in on one goal: winning the Club World Cup. After that, the English star has another battle waiting—shoulder surgery he’s been putting off for months.
