World Cup stadium unrecognisable with pitch removed and cranes restoring it to pre-tournament condition

SOFI Stadium has returned to its pre-tournament form after a month of being known as Los Angeles Stadium at the World Cup. Workers uncovered the papered over SoFi signs to restore it, as it now prepares to host the Rams and Chargers once again. SoFi Stadium was being restored after a month hiatus hosting the World Cup Credit: X It’s returned to its original name after being called Los Angeles Stadium Credit: X US sports fans are sure to be happy with stadiums returning to their original identities. Another example was the MetLife Stadium being known as the New York New Jersey Stadium. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! It was because of Fifa‘s strict commercial rules preventing free advertising. Another noticeable switch in SoFi’s restoration was the removal of the grass turf. The arena will presumably return to its artificial surface used for the NFL. SoFi Stadium said on X: “Surprise, it was us the whole time. “Welcome back to SoFi Stadium!” And it seems the Rams and Chargers are ignoring urges from other American football stars to maintain the real grass pitches. Most read in Sport As the signs returned, the grass pitches went Credit: X BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Seven of the 11 NFL stadiums in use made the switch from synthetic turf to real grass for the summer showpiece, but some stars of the sport felt it should’ve been a permanent change. 49ers star George Kittle said grass fields were better for the players’ bodies and welfare, however it doesn’t look like Inglewood’s surface will be changing. SoFi Stadium hosted some belters during its time as a football stadium, most notably two games featuring eventual champions Spain. It staged Spain’s 3-0 win over Austria in the last 32, before Luis de la Fuente’s side returned in the quarter final, beating Belgium 2-1 thanks to a late Mikel Merino winner. The Arsenal man had begun to make a habit of getting his country out of jail, as he also grabbed a late winner against rivals Portugal in the last 16. The Spanish hero was chief entertainer after the final whistle in the final, as he hilariously copied President Donald Trump’s dancing. Comment now