George Kittle urges NFL to adopt grass fields for 2026 World Cup stadiums

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle has called on the NFL to switch all its venues to natural grass, citing the league’s recent conversion of several stadiums for the 2026 World Cup. Seven to eleven NFL stadiums—including those of the 49ers, Cowboys, Chiefs, Giants, Jets, Rams, Texans, Eagles, Seahawks and Dolphins—will host World Cup matches and are installing grass to meet FIFA’s mandate for natural surfaces.

Kittle’s statement, posted by the NFL Players Association, said, “We know it’s possible” after seeing the effort required to ready fields for the tournament. He echoed long‑standing player preferences, noting that the NFLPA’s data shows higher rates of non‑contact injuries on artificial turf. While the league’s medical chief says injury differences are not statistically significant, players such as former lineman Andrew Whitworth and current Giants offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor have publicly expressed frustration that the league has not committed to grass for regular NFL use.

The NFL has announced a two‑year timeline for all teams to meet new field standards but has not required natural grass. The debate highlights the tension between player health concerns and the league’s operational and commercial considerations.