Ally McCoist thinks World Cup final is at wrong venue and 60-year-old historic stadium would be better than $1.6bn MetLife

The World Cup final will be held at the MetLife Stadium, but FIFA have missed a trick by not putting it at a stadium that oozes football history.

That is the verdict of Scotland legend, and talkSPORT host, Ally McCoist – who has been well travelled across the tournament this summer.

McCoist is on commentary duty across the World CupGetty

McCoist, who played in the 1998 World Cup, joined Jim White and Simon Jordan from the 50th floor of the World Trade Centre on Monday.

The Rangers icon pitched the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City as where the final of the tournament should be.

When asked what his highlight of the tournament so far is, McCoist said: “Without a doubt, opening day, opening game. Azteca. Mexico City. 

“I had never been before. It was just everything you would hope it would be. 

“They have obviously had a bit of work done in the stadium, but you could close your eyes, open them, and you can still see Rivellino crossing that ball for Pele. You can still see Diego Maradona. You can just smell it. It was fantastic. 

“By the way, that is where the final should be.”

The final is scheduled to take place on July 19 at the MetLife Stadium, named the New York/New Jersey Stadium for the tournament.

It is one of six games to be held at the venue, including Norway vs Senegal on Monday night, live on talkSPORT.

MetLife Stadium issues

Concerns have been raised about the quality of the pitch at the $1.6billion arena.

The stadium’s artificial turf is notorious in the NFL, with numerous players suffering serious injuries. See Aaron Rodgers on his New York Jets debut as an example.

France beat Senegal 3-1 in their opening Group game, which was staged at the MetLife StadiumGetty

However, that was ripped up for a temporary grass pitch and has seen two matches played so far.

Players have raised concerns about the surface following both games.

After Brazil’s draw with Morocco, Vinicius Jr said: “Because of the weather and the heat, the grass dries out quickly and the game ends up being very slow. We can’t build up a rhythm.”

France midfielder Adrien Rabiot later said: “The pitch was… I don’t know if I’d even call it that.

“It seemed more like an artificial pitch. It was hard and rigid, but it’s like that for every team. You need to adapt to the conditions. I hope we find better pitches in our other games.” 

FIFA downplayed the queries over the quality of the surface and insisted it was up to the challenge of the World Cup.

England could play Mexico at the Azteca in the last 16 – which would be the last the venue hosts at the 2026 tournamentGetty

“FIFA has invested more than five years in meticulous and collaborative research, testing and innovation, working closely with leading turf experts, stadium operators and football stakeholders, to deliver the best possible playing surfaces for players,” FIFA said in a statement to The Athletic.

“The pitches at all 16 FIFA World Cup 2026 stadiums remain in excellent condition from both a playability and player safety perspective. While there have been comments regarding the visual appearance of certain areas of the playing surface at NYNJ Stadium, FIFA’s turf management team’s assessment is that every pitch is healthy and performing as intended for elite competition.

“Variations in the appearance of some surfaces, whether on television or in person, do not necessarily reflect the quality, health or playability of the pitch.”

Azteca Stadium revamp

Mexico City’s iconic Estadio Azteca became the first venue to host games at three World Cups when Mexico beat South Africa in the opener.

It has seen remarkable moments from Brazil’s win in 1970 to Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ goal against England in 1986.

“There’s just something very special about the Azteca,” said Pele. “You need to be inside it, to feel it to understand. It’s unique.” 

It has undergone two years of renovations to get it ready for the 2026 World Cup, at an estimated cost of between £60m and £115m.

And at 7,200ft above sea level, it presents a unique challenge to players.

A full house saw Mexico’s win over South Africa in the opening game of the World CupGetty

England are on course to find that out in the last 16 if they finish top of their group and if results go a certain way then it could be a tough battle against Mexico.

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