The NFL owners are providing the real grass for the World Cup that it won’t provide for the NFL players who make their stadiums possible. The NFLPA has released a statement:
The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in one month, and work is underway to install fresh grass surfaces in NFL stadiums for the world’s top soccer players.
NFL players have spent years advocating for safer, high-quality grass fields at their place of work, but when the World Cup is over, most of these stadiums will revert back to turf for the NFL season.
Our players deserve workplaces that prioritize their preference, protect them against the weekly wear and tear of the game, and support their long-term health and performance.
I don’t usually have much sympathy for the NFLPA, but this is one area where they are absolutely right and the league’s position makes no sense. Football is much better on grass, and NFL teams make more than enough money to make sure they are playing on it.