FIFA says no to artificial turf at 2023 Women's World Cup

FIFA will only allow natural grass pitches at the 2023 Women's world Cup.

The stipulation has been contained in requirements sent to the tournament's bidders, following the controversy over the use of artificial turf at the 2015 tournament in Canada.

Some players launched a gender discrimination case– which was later withdrawn – over FIFA's use of turf four years ago because men's world Cup games have always been on grass.

They claimed the artificial surface is less forgiving than grass and impacts the game because of concerns over injuries. They also claimed balls travel and bounce differently on artificial turf. FIFA said it wanted the same surface in every stadium.

This year's 24-team tournament in France will not have any artificial turf pitches at the nine venues. FIFA has made it clear such surfaces won't be acceptable in 2023, either. What is permitted is the hybrid system used at many leading stadiums where millions of synthetic grass fibers are woven in between and beneath the natural grass.

“The pitch shall feature a natural grass playing surface,” FIFA's bidding requirements state. “Hybrid-grass systems are considered natural grass according to FIFA's requirements and hybrid reinforcement should be considered for stadium pitches.”

FIFA also is asking bidders to ensure that each training venue has at least one grass field.

There is record interest in hosting the 2023 tournament,

The 37-member FIFA Council will pick the host in March next year after inspectors produce bid evaluation reports.