The National Football League (NFL) Players Association demanded that the league board and franchise owners Mandatory replacement of synthetic turf with natural grass in all sports venues in the United States after the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup 2026this according ESPN Deportes.
The players argue for reducing injury risks joints supported by the medical reports of the international tournament and the technical feasibility demonstrated by the North American stadiums themselves during the adaptation of their grounds to the standards required by the governing body of global soccer.
The claim of the footballers belonging to the American association responds to the temporary transformation that scenarios such as the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, AT&T Stadium in Dallas and Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlantaamong other venues that had to replace their artificial grasses with layers of natural grass to host the World Cup matches.
Consequently, the union representation of the athletes maintained that the execution of these technical modifications in closed and multi-use venues eliminated the league’s arguments about the logistical impossibility of maintaining natural grass in optimal conditions during the regular season.
On the other hand, health reports presented by the players organization highlight a significant difference in the rate of ankle and knee injuries when matches are played on artificial grass compared to natural grass, a non-contact risk factor that the union seeks to eradicate in the new list of operational requests.
Despite the pressure exerted by the group of athletes, the executive committee of the NFL and the Team owners remain cautious due to the financial costs of permanent maintenance and the scheduling of extra-sports events. in the stadiums, while the union leadership reiterates that the preservation of the physical integrity of the players must prevail over the profitability of the facilities.
