The 2026 World Cup sparked a debate that now extends beyond soccer and puts the NFL in the spotlight. Just days after the final match at MetLife Stadium, dozens of NFL players stepped up a public campaign demanding that natural grass be permanently installed in stadiums where games are typically played on synthetic surfaces.
The initiative gained momentum on social media under the hashtag #WorthTheCost, where figures such as Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, and Washington Commanders offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil argued that NFL players deserve the same conditions that FIFA demanded for the World Cup. “If stadiums can make natural grass work for the World Cup, they can make it work for NFL players. We’re worth the cost,” Tunsil wrote on his X account.
Players Question the Return of Artificial Turf in the NFL
MetLife Stadium was one of the NFL stadiums that temporarily replaced its artificial turf with natural grass to host games for the 2026 World Cup.
In total, all 11 NFL stadiums used during the tournament made this modification to comply with the standards set by FIFA.
However, once the championship is over, seven of those stadiums plan to switch back to artificial turf for the NFL season.
A decision that has drawn strong criticism from the players.
Green Bay Packers linebacker Zaire Franklin also joined the campaign.
“The cost of doing nothing is paid for by the players’ bodies. Make natural grass mandatory. We’re worth the cost,” he posted (Filed under: NFL Faces Pressure Over Natural Grass).
We are worth the cost
Laremy Tunsil
The NFLPA Hardens Its Stance on Natural Turf
The pressure doesn’t come solely from the players.
Since the start of the World Cup, the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) issued a statement addressed to franchise owners calling for a permanent switch to natural turf.
According to the organization, the temporary installation of turf for the World Cup shows that the problem is no longer technical or financial.
“The temporary installation of natural grass fields for the World Cup is a decision by certain NFL team owners to do for soccer players what they refuse to do for NFL players,” the NFLPA said.
The organization added that the technology, expertise, and resources needed to maintain high-quality natural grass fields throughout the season are currently available (Filed under: NFL Faces Pressure Over Natural Grass).
92% of players insist on natural grass
He also cited a statistic that he considers compelling:
92% of NFL players prefer to play on natural grass, a surface they consider safer for their bodies.
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle also publicly endorsed the initiative a few weeks ago.
“We’ve made it clear that we prefer natural grass fields. We know it’s better for our bodies.”
“It’s clearly possible, because that’s what happened during the World Cup,” he said.
So far, the NFL has not issued an official response to the new campaign launched by the players (Filed under: NFL Faces Pressure Over Natural Turf).
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