The Dallas Cowboys are set to play the Baltimore Ravens at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Sept. 27, their next game after beating the Washington Commanders 37-20. The victory moved Dallas to 1-1.
Questions about the playing surface emerged after Agustin Rossi, goalkeeper for Flamengo Football Club, said the penalty areas contained many uneven spots. He said he hoped the field would be improved before the NFL contest. The league told The Athletic that it has preparations for the international game and a plan intended to provide a high-quality surface.
Coach Brian Schottenheimer said the Cowboys’ football operations staff has been in contact with the NFL. League officials, he said, anticipated that the surface would satisfy the required standard, and he said he was not worried that the game would be played.
Owner and general manager Jerry Jones said he was continuing to get the latest information and identified the field as a top concern following the Washington game. CeeDee Lamb, after gaining 153 yards and scoring twice against Washington, responded to a question about the surface by saying, “Let's play.” The game will be the first NFL contest at Maracanã.
A prior international game in São Paulo between the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers finished with no reported issues.
