The natural grass that just hosted nine FIFA World Cup matches at AT&T Stadium is already getting ripped out. On Thursday, the Dallas Cowboys started pulling up that natural surface, clearing the way for their usual artificial turf to return. This isn't just a Dallas thing, either. Gillette Stadium, home to the New England Patriots, also ditched its World Cup grass, with both venues making the switch back to turf for the 2026 NFL season. FIFA requires natural grass for its tournament, but once the World Cup confetti settles, it's back to business as usual for the NFL.
The Great Turf Swap: Back to Artificial
So, the World Cup got its pristine grass fields, as per FIFA's demands. AT&T Stadium saw a ton of action, hosting nine matches. But almost immediately after the final whistle, that natural grass is gone. It's a quick turnaround from world-class soccer pitches to the typical artificial turf that NFL teams play on. You just know this isn't sitting right with a lot of guys across the league.Players Want Grass, Owners Stick to Turf
This whole field debate is a huge deal among NFL players. San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle, for one, has openly expressed his desire to play on natural grass fields. The NFL Players Association even released a statement on June 25, advocating for natural grass on Kittle's behalf. It's a clear message: players want safer, more natural playing surfaces. But what does Jerry Jones, the Cowboys' owner, have to say about this demand? Jones isn't budging. He hasn't even considered changing AT&T Stadium's artificial turf for NFL games. His reasoning? "No, we have more flexibility with the way we handle our surface at the stadium. We have no belief that it's any safer to play on a grass [field] or a turf. We are ambiguous as to the safety of it," Jones said earlier this year. He went on to say, "The turf, actually like many things, improves the economics of being able to play this game and our players are the biggest benefactor of all. They get the best benefit of when we do good things financially, the players are benefiting. So I'm working for you, baby, OK, if you're a player." So, for Jones, it's about economics, not player safety. He's fine with putting grass down for "soccer under regulations" but then quickly getting "that turf back out there to go about the other business of the stadium and the team." Dallas' training camp for the 2026 season kicks off on July 27. You know those guys are heading straight back onto that artificial turf, regardless of player sentiment or what some of the biggest names in the league are saying. It's a stark reminder of where priorities sometimes lie.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.