The game between the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys in Brazil has been thrown into serious jeopardy.

The marquee Week 3 match-up is set to be held at the iconic Maracaña Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the first time ever.

The Maracaña Stadium is set to host the NFL matchup between the Cowboys and Ravens
3
The Maracaña Stadium is set to host the NFL matchup between the Cowboys and Ravens in Week 3Credit: Getty

But less than a week out from kickoff, there are some huge concerns over the conditions of the playing surface, with it potentially posing injury risks to NFL players.

The field has been causing issues for soccer stars, with Flamengo goalkeeper Agustín Rossi speaking out.

“You don’t even need to talk about the field, it’s there for everyone to see,” Rossi said via ge. “The way we play, it’s unbelievable that we’re playing on a field like this.

"Both penalty areas are bad as s***. If you look at it, there are bumps everywhere.

"There’s still going to be an NFL game here during the international break. After that game, I hope the field is in better shape.”

“We’ve been struggling a lot in these last few games, and the field keeps getting worse,” Flamengo midfielder Giorgian De Arrascaeta added.

“It’s getting harder and harder to control the ball. We have to try to play quickly. If we want to be champions, we have to find a solution. With the team we have, we can’t be playing on a field like this.”

Brazil has previous with NFL pitch drama

This isn't the first time that a Brazilian playing surface has not been up to standard for an NFL game.

Back in 2024, when the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Green Bay Packers 34-29 in São Paulo, the field was in such a bad state that the NFL invested $1 million on the pitch at Arena Corinthians.

But there is no time for the NFL to intervene on this occasion.

The Maracaña pitch is said to be in an unfit state to host an NFL game
3
The Maracaña pitch is said to be in an unfit state to host an NFL gameCredit: AFP
Neither the Ravens or Cowboys would want to risk injury due to a field not up to standard
3
Neither the Ravens or Cowboys would want to risk injury due to a field not up to standardCredit: Getty

This has led to speculation that the game could even be moved 5,000 miles away to AT&T Stadium in Dallas, with the Cowboys named as the home team for the match-up against Baltimore.

Logistically, that would prove very difficult, and so seems very unlikely.

However, you only have to cast your mind back to 2018 when the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Rams that was scheduled to be played in Mexico was moved to the L.A. Coliseum just six days before the Monday night kickoff due to field issues.

Of course, that game wound up being arguably the game of the season in a 105-point thriller with the Rams emerging as 54-51 winners.

According to Pro Football Talk, the NFL are currently considering the options available to them to ensure the Maracaña field will be ready to host the blockbuster encounter.

They will need to make a decision fairly quickly after Flamengo take on Bragantino on Sunday night, with the state of the pitch after that encounter likely to influence their final decision.

The last thing anybody would want is injuries to the likes of superstars Lamar Jackson, Dak Prescott or Derrick Henry on what are both touted Super Bowl-contending teams this season.

Join talkSPORT's dedicated US Sports YouTube channel The S* Word every Tuesday and Thursday for our brand new NFL shows.

On Tuesdays, Will Gavin and US senior reporter Brian T. Smith will debate the biggest talking points from the NFL weekend, while on Thursdays Efe Obada joins the crew to talk to players past and present and break down what to look for across the league.

Topics