The 2026 World Cup is only weeks away, but the controversies don’t stop coming. While this event is looking to be one of the most expensive in its history, it’s also introducing some changes to stadiums that have athletes both excited and frustrated.
Grass fields have been something that American athletes have increasingly called for in place of turf grass. The battle between turf and grass fields is far from new, but for years it’s been largely ignored by industry executives, especially by those within the NFL. Unfortunately, this upcoming World Cup is expected to make it even harder to ignore.
MetLife Stadium is among the many American sports stadiums that are temporarily replacing their turf with grass fields. This accommodation is understandable, since grass fields are the worldwide standard for professional soccer. It’s a change that’s rare to see within the United States, where turf grass is still incredibly common for most sports.
So, when the announcement of this accommodation was made to be implemented in American sports stadiums, many NFL athletes were simultaneously happy and frustrated. American athletes have increasingly campaigned for stadiums to switch to grass fields, pointing to the benefits they give to athletes outside the US. Grass fields provide natural shock absorption and reduce non-contact injury compared to the 69% higher rate of non-contact foot or ankle injuries on turf, according to the NFLPA.
Ultimately, like with anything that has to do with safety and changes, execs within the NFL and other leagues continue to ignore players’ urging simply due to finances. To many, a grass field takes more expenses to maintain than turf grass. However, if the temporary grass for the World Cup proves to be successful, US sports executives may not be able to afford to ignore this movement anymore.
