sports
NFL Players Renew Calls for Natural Grass Ahead of World Cup Final
Players across multiple teams posted messages on July 17 urging owners to switch stadium surfaces to natural grass after FIFA installed temporary grass fields for the World Cup. The NFL Players Association cited a survey showing 92 percent player preference for grass and noted that 15 of 30 stadiums already use it.
Jul 17, 5:29 PM·2m read4 sources
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NFL players renewed calls for natural grass surfaces in league stadiums on July 17, 2026, as the 2026 FIFA World Cup final approached at MetLife Stadium. Multiple players posted messages using the hashtag #WorthTheCost after FIFA installed natural grass in seven of the 11 NFL venues that normally use synthetic turf.
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, Washington Commanders offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil, Green Bay Packers linebacker Zaire Franklin, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen, and New York Jets defensive lineman Harrison Phillips were among those who posted on the platform that day.
Tunsil wrote that stadiums can make grass work for the World Cup and should do the same for NFL players. Franklin stated that the cost of doing nothing is paid for by players' bodies. Steelers cornerback Doneiko Slaughter and Arizona Cardinals cornerback Garrett Williams posted that it is time to make grass fields the standard.
Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft noted that his team plays on the greatest surface in the NFL and that natural grass should be the only surface used.
The NFL Players Association released a statement at the start of the World Cup urging owners to switch to natural grass. On June 10 the union said the temporary grass fields represented a choice by certain owners to provide for soccer players what they refuse to do for NFL players.
An NFLPA survey of more than 1,700 players found that 92 percent prefer natural grass, 6 percent have no preference, and 2 percent prefer synthetic turf. San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle stated in June that players have made clear their preference for grass fields because the surfaces are better on their bodies and that the World Cup installations showed such fields are possible.
