Giants coach John Harbaugh dodged a turf‑vs‑grass question as FIFA rolled out natural grass at MetLife Stadium for the 2026 World Cup. The NFL Players Association released a survey showing 92% of its members favor grass over synthetic surfaces. In total, FIFA installed temporary grass in eleven U.S. venues that normally host synthetic turf for football.

FIFA spent six to seven years developing a “sod‑on‑plastic” system that lets a fully rooted field be rolled out, stitched in place and later removed. Giants lineman Jermaine Eluemunor called the temporary grass “nice,” while Rams safety Quentin Lake said the World Cup proved grass can exist in domed stadiums. The effort required a ten‑week field closure before each venue’s soccer matches.

Despite the successful showcase, owners like Dallas’s Jerry Jones stress that reverting to turf remains essential for multi‑event schedules and financial viability. Even venues such as Hard Rock Stadium demonstrate that frequent grass swaps are possible, but most NFL sites host concerts, rodeos and other sports that would jeopardize a permanent surface. The debate now centers on whether the league will fund broader grass conversions.