The grass they are using for Copa is a “warm-season grass" and the the FIFA research team "thinks this will be a cool-season-grass building"Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
The Copa América group-stage game between Brazil and Costa Rica at SoFi Stadium is “something of a trial run for the 2026 World Cup,” now less than two years away, according to Kevin Baxter of the L.A. TIMES. For SoFi Senior VP/ Facility and Campus Operations Otto Benedict nothing “will be too small to overlook given the task ahead.” Benedict: “A lot of the little nuance things that will be required as part of this major event, we’re going to be looking at those things.” He added those include the "things that people probably don’t think about." Baxter noted "bigger things" will be “dictated by FIFA." SoFi’s Matrix Turf field was covered with a temporary carpet of desert-grown natural grass from West Coast Turf for this week’s two Copa América games. For the World Cup, the field “will be raised a couple of feet and another type of grass installed.” Benedict said the grass they are using for Copa is a “warm-season grass" and the FIFA research team "thinks this will be a cool-season-grass building." Baxter wrote while the ersatz field and narrow dimensions “drew complaints, the reviews from those who took part were mostly good.” Costa Rica coach Gustavo Alfaro said, “There are things that are going to have to improve obviously. The dimensions, the speed of the ball, that type of thing.” Alfaro added, “The atmosphere was very nice. The logistics are very good. Everything was very easy for the teams. They did it very well.” (
L.A. TIMES, 6/25).
RELATED: SoFi Stadium to renovate for '26 World Cup matches
HEAT RISING: In K.C., Daniel Sperry noted the “biggest moment” in yesterday’s match between Canada and Peru came late in the first half when assistant referee Humberto Panjoj “collapsed on the field, apparently due to the heat conditions.” The heat index “hovered around” 100 degrees during the first half of the match, which began at 5 p.m. CT. The side of the field where Panjoj was officiating was "directly in the sun.” Crepeau said that there was “no water break given after the 30th minute of the match either, which is customary in high-heat conditions.” Crepeau: “I don’t care what people say, health of the people on the field -- players and officials -- that needs to be looked at.” Sperry noted the impact “extended to the fans, too.” The stands in the "usually full" Sporting KC supporters section “saw fans cramming into one side -- that was in the shade.” Other fans “went to the concourses while their sections were in the sun.” Canada D Alistair Johnston said, “I can only imagine what it looked like on TV or what it looked like to the fans because it didn’t really feel like a football (match) being out there.” Sperry asked, "so what’s the solution, as World Cup 2026 draws nearer?” Johnston suggested a “harder look at kickoff times” could be an option. Johnston said it "can’t be a 5 o’clock kickoff ... It’s gotta be an 8 or 9 o’clock kickoff. Because honestly, it’s not even safe for the fans" (
K.C. STAR, 6/25).
