The update says photographs shared by Nick Harris appeared to show the coverings in place, with no obvious glare reaching the pitch. Harris wrote that there was “no glare or sunlight coming through onto the pitch as a result”.
If accurate, the change represents a notably direct response to a problem often treated as an unavoidable feature of the Arlington venue. Clarence Hill Jr. reacted sharply, writing: “So Jerry Jones can use a tint and not curtains. It’s just stubbornness at this point.”
The report says the match is the only World Cup game at the stadium scheduled for the part of the day when the sun has previously caused difficulties.
Sunlight can turn a routine pass into a moment of uncertainty. Receivers must track the ball through changing conditions, while defenders can lose sight of both the pass and their assignment.
The update recalls a previous incident involving CeeDee Lamb, who appeared to gesture towards his eyes after missing a pass. Asked whether he wanted the stadium curtains closed, Lamb reportedly gave a clear answer: “Yes, 1,000%.”
That frustration reflects a wider football principle: players should decide matches, not the architecture around them. Even a brief loss of visibility can affect timing, concentration and confidence.
Tinted coverings may prove a less intrusive solution than closing the stadium’s existing curtains, but the key question is whether the fix works consistently throughout the afternoon.
When Japan face Netherlands, the players’ experience will provide the strongest verdict. If the glare disappears from the conversation, the stadium may finally have found an answer to one of its longest-running football complaints.