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The FIFA World Cup Shouldn't be a Testing Ground for Artificial Turf


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    Why in the world did FIFA think that the World Cup was a proper venue to test how players from around the world play on artificial turf? This has been bugging me ever since it was announced that World Cup games would be played on artificial turf and has only gotten worse after hearing players from around the world complain about the conditions of the field they are playing on. Using the biggest tournament in the world as a testing ground for artificial grass that has a track record of causing more injuries to players just doesn't make any sense to me.

    Another thing that really bugs me about FIFA's decision is my strong suspicion that they would never dare make male players play on artificial turf without making sure the vast majority of teams found it acceptable. I'm not suggesting that FIFA made this decision based solely on the fact that it was the Women's World Cup, but I do think that FIFA would never have used the Men's World Cup to test unproven technology.

    Is anyone else as frustrated as me about this, or am I making a mountain out of a molehill? I've tried to see it both ways, but I keep going back to the belief that the biggest stage of women's soccer isn't the best venue to use turf that isn't proven to be as good or better than regular grass.

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    100% agree with you. It's downright irresponsible to test this out on soccer's biggest stage. What in the world is the motivation here? Is it about money? That is the only viable thing I can think of, that artificial turf is just a lot cheaper on FIFA's bank account. If that is the truth though, what a terrible and short-sided way for them to cut costs.
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    Yea, this just doesn't make any sense and I agree that FIFA would never dare do something like this at the men's World Cup. There's no excuse to change things up on their biggest stage without years of testing and concrete proof that it wouldn't effect the integrity of the game.

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    I'm not the biggest soccer fan in the world, but it does seem really odd that FIFA would make such a monumental decision like changing the field that players will compete on without being absolutely certain that it was the right move. And I agree that they would never do something like this if it were the mens World Cup.