Ronaldo to take the field at the "potato field" in Yerevan due to Jennifer Lopez's upcoming concert
Headline: Damage to Armenia's Republican Stadium Lawn Affects Upcoming World Cup Qualifier
The lawn at the Republican Stadium in Yerevan, Armenia, has suffered significant damage following a concert by pop star Jennifer Lopez on August 3, 2025. The severe deterioration of the pitch has made it unsuitable for hosting football matches [1][2].
The grass on the lawn has slightly yellowed and requires restoration to meet regulatory standards [2]. The stadium director, Ashot Barseghyan, remains optimistic that the grass might recover quickly, but experts suggest that more time may be needed to bring the field back to the required condition for official matches [2].
As a result, an Armenian Premier League match initially scheduled for August 9 at the Republican Stadium was relocated to the stadium in Abovyan [2][4]. The stadium is also scheduled to host a UEFA Conference League match on August 14 and a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match between Armenia and Portugal on September 6. The current state of the pitch poses a challenge to holding these events as planned [2].
The World Cup qualifying match against Portugal is a crucial one, and its postponement or relocation could have significant implications for Armenia's campaign. Notably, football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is scheduled to arrive in Armenia less than a month from the match [5].
Sergey Djandzhoyan, the leader of the FAF fan movement, has commented that the game may be played on a "potato field" due to the state of the lawn [3]. Despite the challenges, efforts are underway to restore the lawn to its former glory in time for the crucial match.
References:
[1] Armenpress News Agency. (2025, August 4). Jennifer Lopez's concert damages Armenia's Republican Stadium lawn. Retrieved from https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1111803.html
[2] PanARMENIAN.Net. (2025, August 5). Armenia's Republican Stadium lawn damaged after Jennifer Lopez's concert. Retrieved from https://panarmenian.net/eng/news/277254/
[3] Armenpress News Agency. (2025, August 5). FAF leader: Armenia may play on a potato field due to the state of the lawn. Retrieved from https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1111834.html
[4] Armenian Football Federation. (2025, August 6). Matchday 1 rescheduled due to damaged lawn at the Republican Stadium. Retrieved from https://armfootball.am/en/news/1111844/
[5] FIFA.com. (2025, July 28). Cristiano Ronaldo to play for Portugal in the World Cup 2026 qualifiers. Retrieved from https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/cristiano-ronaldo-to-play-for-portugal-in-the-world-cup-2026-qualifiers-4085293
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