German Criticisms of American Organization Before the World Cup

German national team players, alongside German football legend Lothar Matthäus, directed sharp criticism at the U.S. preparations for hosting the 2026 World Cup, following the friendly match between Germany and the United States.

Matthäus criticized the condition of the pitch and the way the grass was maintained, pointing out that using hoses to water the field reminded him of methods used in the 1960s and 1970s. He considered such scenes inappropriate for a global event of the magnitude of the World Cup.

Kai Havertz expressed his dissatisfaction with the long wait before the start of the match, as well as the extended presentation introducing the players' names, describing it as boring and affecting the players' focus before the games.

Havertz also expressed his concerns about the continuation of these measures during the World Cup competitions, emphasizing that the teams and players are looking forward to a smoother and more professional organization during the tournament hosted by the United States in partnership with Canada and Mexico.