The 2026 FIFA World Cup has reached its conclusion. However, now that it is over, it has led to a new set of pressure on the NFL officials. The FIFA games were contested on grass fields across six NFL stadiums. The surprising aspect was that these stadiums earlier housed artificial turf. 

Now the NFL players are also keen on playing on this same grass turf. As per Armando Salguero of Outkick, the players are reluctant to go back to turf normalcy as they want to play on grass.

The inside news is that the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) will consider whether it will be beneficial to have grass fields across the NFL. This will also be a part of the future collective bargaining negotiations with the league, according to a union source.

As per Outkick by Fox, the players were quite impressed seeing the NFL stadiums covered in grass. The final game between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium was played on North Carolina Bermuda grass. Nevertheless, the grass is not being retained as it's been taken off for the usual turf.

The players have already started voicing their disapproval of the same. Players like Breece Hall, George Kittle, and Jonathan Taylor have asked the NFL to continue with grass.

"Grass looks great at MetLife!" said the San Francisco 49ers tight end Kittle," Can we keep it that way @NFL?? Would appreciate it, thanks."

Hall wrote a pleading "please" to the NFL to make them reconsider. Other players like Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, Solomon Thomas and Julian Love also showed their support with a hashtag #WorthTheCost appeal.

This isn't a new development by any means. The NFLPA has long advocated for natural grass, contending that it is easier on players' bodies. According to the Daily News, NFLPA executive director JC Tretter said 92% of the approximately 1,700 players polled preferred grass to turf in May.

As Tretter noted, NFL data collected between 2012 and 2018 showed a 28% increase in non-contact lower-extremity injuries on turf versus grass.

NFLPA's crusade against turf has now found another supporter in former NFL punter Pat McAfee.

NFL analyst shows support for grass surfaces

Pat McAfee has also jumped in to show his support for grass surfaces over artificial turf. The former Indianapolis Colts player has given his view on the July 20 episode of the Pat McAfee Show.

"I like the movement that we're going with this particular time," said McAfee, "Acknowledging that it's going to cost money to flip over the stadiums from turf to grass, acknowledging that, yes, this is going to have to be an investment of some sort for you guys, as opposed to just saying, 'Give us grass; it's for our health.'"

The reason for shifting to grass is to mitigate injuries.

Since the start of the 2022 season, Wan'Dale Robinson (knee), Aaron Rodgers (Achilles) and Malik Nabers (knee) have all suffered injuries at the dreaded MetLife Stadium. Naturally, the players want a solution to this problem.

However, not everyone is on board with the idea. As Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has publicly admitted, it isn't cost-effective enough for him. Sportico reports that maintaining a grass surface costs in the region of $300k-$500k. Furthermore, there is also the additional cost of replacing the grass once or twice during the NFL season.

As of now, only the Buffalo Bills' newly built Highmark Stadium houses grass. It is also the only stadium to do so. The rest all have artificial turf.

Do you think the NFL will pay heed to the players' request and switch to a grass surface? Let us know through your comments.

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Written by

Sourav Ganguly

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar