Ex-Man City defender hails World Cup stadium as best he’s ever played in

There has been a lot of negativity in the air about the fan experience at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, both in the build-up to the tournament and during.

Ticket prices and water bans dominated headlines before things got underway in North America in mid-June, and over the past couple of weeks, there has been outrage over transportation costs and food prices inside the stadiums.

However, one thing that a lot of fans have been positive about is the facilities and design of some of the host stadiums.

Akanji calls World Cup Stadium the ‘best'

It's not just fans who are enjoying the stadiums, either, but the players, too. Switzerland defender Manuel Akanji has given an interview to Gazzetta dello Sport while in camp, and he has labelled the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles as the best he has ever played at.

Akanji has played at some of the most famous stadiums in Europe throughout his career, including the Santiago Bernabeu and Old Trafford, while his current home is San Siro in Milan, so his opinion carries weight. The former Manchester City man said:

“It’s truly fantastic. I told my friends that if we’re talking about the overall experience, this is the best stadium I’ve ever played in.”

“I’ve seen many, but SoFi is incredible. When you enter and look at everything around you, you are impressed and understand why it cost so much. I’m even an NFL enthusiast, but I’m neither a Rams nor a Chargers fan, the teams that play here.

SoFi Stadium is still the best modern building I’ve ever been in, unreal https://t.co/Fsb7O4SAyi pic.twitter.com/oPHVvuPV8w

— Zach Cohen (@ZachCohenFB) June 12, 2026

Akanji weighs in on hydration breaks

In recent World Cup games, fans have started to boo the hydration breaks that take place midway through each half. For many, these breaks are unnecessary and are just an excuse for additional commercials during the match. Akanji is with the fans on this one:

“I’m not a big fan. I understand the organisational and commercial reasons; I understand that advertising and other activities can be inserted during those breaks.

“But as a footballer, I think they take away from the match’s rhythm. If a team is struggling, a break can help them by allowing tactical adjustments, and conversely, it can interrupt a favourable moment.”

FGG says: An opinion likely shared by many

You will not find a stadium anywhere in the world more modern or advanced than SoFi Stadium, so Akanji's opinion is not difficult to understand. There is widespread perplexity in the US that it was not selected to host the World Cup final, with MetLife Stadium in New Jersey having that honour.