Concerns Raised Over Pitch Conditions at Arena Amazonia Ahead of England-Italy World Cup Clash
As England and Italy prepare to face off in their opening 2014 World Cup match next Sunday, questions are mounting over the quality of the pitch at Arena Amazonia in Manaus, the designated venue for the fixture.
Reports emerging on Tuesday from Swiss outlet 24heures.ch paint a troubling picture of the playing surface. The pitch is described as being unusually dry, with large bare patches, particularly around one of the two goals. Yellowish areas mar what should be a pristine turf, raising concerns about its suitability for a high-profile game.
Further compounding these issues, the pitch markings have yet to be drawn, adding to doubts over the stadium’s readiness. Although the Arena Amazonia appears largely functional, several finishing touches remain incomplete. Alarmingly, exposed electrical cables have been spotted both inside and around the locker rooms, highlighting potential safety hazards.
Moreover, many of the stadium’s security gates remain boxed and awaiting installation — a surprising sight for a venue slated to host multiple World Cup fixtures.
Despite these shortcomings, the Arena Amazonia, with a seating capacity of around 46,000, has been touted as a model stadium and one of the first new venues completed for the tournament. In addition to the England-Italy match, it will also host four other group stage games, including Switzerland’s encounter with Honduras.
With the opening whistle drawing nearer, attention will turn to how quickly these issues can be resolved to ensure the pitch meets the standards expected on football’s grandest stage.
