Thomas Tuchel ‘concerned’ about Florida pitch

June 5, 2026 - 19:03

England manager Thomas Tuchel has admitted he is "concerned" after seeing images of the playing surface at Raymond James Stadium in Florida, where his team is set to face New Zealand. The German coach, who took charge of the national side earlier this year, did not hide his unease when asked about the condition of the pitch during a pre-match press conference.

"It does not look ideal," Tuchel said. "I have seen the pictures and I am concerned. We want to play our style of football, but the surface will have a big impact on that." The match, scheduled to take place in Tampa, is part of England's preparation for upcoming international fixtures. Tuchel stressed that while the squad is ready to adapt, the state of the field could affect both the quality of the game and the risk of injury.

"We have to be careful," he added. "The players need a safe and reliable surface to perform at their best. We will assess it further when we arrive." England are expected to train on the pitch before the match to get a better feel for its condition. The Football Association has not issued an official statement, but sources close to the team suggest they are monitoring the situation closely. Fans and pundits alike will be watching to see if the pitch holds up under the pressure of an international friendly.