As Chelsea continue their journey through the FIFA Club World Cup in the U.S., captain Reece James hasn’t held back about one particular issue: the state of the pitches.
From awkward bounces to exhausting conditions, James is calling out what he feels is making life unnecessarily hard for players—and not just his teammates.
“These Pitches Just Aren’t Good Enough”
Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s quarter-final clash against Palmeiras in Philadelphia, James raised serious concerns about the quality of the playing surfaces at the tournament.
“The ball goes 100 feet in the air and then only bounces about a metre,” he said.
“It’s not what we’re used to in Europe, and it definitely takes a toll on the body.”
James didn’t just speak for himself—he suggested the poor turf affects everyone in the tournament, players and fans alike.
According to the right back, matches would be “better quality” if pitches were designed to handle the climate and playing style more effectively.
Climate, Travel, and Turf All Adding Up
James also pointed out that the hot weather, long travel, and inconsistent turf are making the tournament unusually draining for European players.
“You get a lot more tired, more quickly. No one’s used to this heat.
Every destination is at least a two-hour flight. It’s a lot.”
Still, he was quick to reassure fans that he’s doing okay physically—“I’m feeling good,” he said with confidence.
Benfica Game a Perfect Example of the Struggles
Chelsea’s previous match against Benfica in Charlotte wasn’t just a challenge because of the opponent.
The game was suspended for hours due to lightning, stretching into nearly five hours total before Chelsea could seal the win.
“It was a draining experience,” James recalled.
“Honestly, I don’t think any of us will experience something like that again in our careers.”
He added that the mid-game delay probably gave Benfica the edge: “They got a break to reset, and we were left trying to stay mentally and physically ready.
Then we gave away a penalty and everything changed.”
Romeo Lavia Injury Adds to Concerns
One of the more worrying consequences of these conditions came in that same Benfica game, where Romeo Lavia, who already has a history of muscle injuries, picked up another problem. He hasn’t trained since.
It’s just another example of why James feels the current setup needs serious improvement, especially with the 2026 World Cup coming up fast.
FIFA Responds with Reassurance
In response to James’ concerns, FIFA issued a statement defending the tournament’s pitch quality.
They said all surfaces remain “within the optimal range” according to international testing standards, including factors like surface hardness, traction, and ball roll.
FIFA also explained that all the Club World Cup pitches were relaid with natural grass before the competition began—avoiding artificial turf—and promised that next year’s World Cup would see even better conditions thanks to earlier stadium handovers.
Eyes Now on Palmeiras Showdown
Despite the off-pitch gripes, Chelsea are focused on their upcoming challenge.
Beating Palmeiras would send them into the semi-finals, where they’d face either Fluminense or Al-Hilal.
Reece James made it clear that the team is determined, even if the road has been bumpy—literally and figuratively.
“It’s not been the most enjoyable experience so far,” he admitted.
“But we’ve recovered. We’ll be ready to go.”