June 15, 2025 – East Rutherford, NJ — MetLife Stadium, freshly fitted with natural grass for the FIFA Club World Cup, is stirring controversy this week. NFL players and the NFLPA are pushing back, calling out the oddity: why install grass for soccer and not for football?
What’s the Issue?
- MetLife, home to the Jets and Giants, has always used artificial turf. Yet FIFA mandates natural grass for its Club World Cup matches—so organizers laid down 8,500 m² of sod over the turf.
- NFL players are livid. The NFLPA reposted a video of the fresh field with a snarky caption: “Looks nice … #SaferFields”, highlighting the disparity.
Voices Behind the Debate
- NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell cited a survey: 92% of NFL players prefer grass due to lower injury risk.
- Jermaine Eluemunor, Giants guard, mocked the setup on social media, noting it’s only for soccer—not football.
- Giants owner John Mara argued grass isn’t feasible for NFL seasons, citing dual-tenancy, weather, and overuse—though he acknowledges soccer-grade turf isn’t ready for year-round football.
Safety vs Logistics
- Studies show knee sprains are 22% higher and ankle injuries 31% more frequent on artificial turf compared to grass.
- Grass is harder to maintain under NFL demands, but stadiums like the Cardinals and Raiders have demonstrated indoor grass solutions are possible.
The Bigger Picture
- This grass installation isn’t just for show—it’s part of FIFA’s broader strategy to avoid the Copa América pitch disasters of 2024, where field conditions came under fire at stadiums like Mercedes-Benz and MetLife.
- For the 2026 World Cup, FIFA aims to use temporary hybrid grass systems across NFL venues, improving durability and avoiding seams issues seen previously.
In summary: The decision to install grass over turf at MetLife shines a light on longstanding NFL turf concerns. With player safety at stake and FIFA refining World Cup plans, this debate may push NFL franchises toward bigger turf reforms.
Information from The New York Times Athletic’s “MetLife pitch criticised for Club World Cup,” BBC Sport’s coverage of NFLPA reaction, ESPN’s report on FIFA turf strategy, and TalkSport’s oversight piece was used in this article.
