The FIFA World Cup 2026 is underway, with several matches being played in NFL stadiums, including Levi's Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49ers. To meet FIFA requirements, venues that typically feature artificial turf have temporarily installed natural grass playing surfaces.

That has 49ers All-Pro tight end George Kittle wondering why the change can't be made permanent.


Kittle has been outspoken about his preference for grass fields over artificial turf, which many players believe increases the risk of injury.

"If you can put grass in MetLife and in SoFi, I think you could do that year-round if you really gave a s--t," Kittle said during an appearance on the Pardon My Take podcast. "I mean, that's my opinion. I think, if you polled every single player, I would say probably 90% would [say] they would prefer a grass field. And I'd say 10% would say they don't care.

"But 90% of guys, they prefer to play on grass. And so, it's just like, well, you just show that you can do it, so then, why don't we do it? Because that's what the players want to do."

Kittle is fortunate to play his home games at Levi's Stadium, which features a natural grass surface. However, the 49ers will still have to play on artificial turf during some road games. San Francisco is currently scheduled to play five such games in 2026.

Kittle believes the NFL should prioritize protecting its most valuable asset: the players.


Many NFL players have argued that replacing artificial surfaces with natural grass could help reduce injuries and keep the league's biggest stars on the field. From the NFL's perspective, healthier players also mean a better on-field product.

Kittle pointed to marquee quarterbacks such as Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen as examples of players fans tune in to watch every week. Keeping stars healthy benefits everyone—from teams and players to television networks and fans.

"That's great for football," Kittle said. "And then, when they're not playing, it's just kind of like a, 'Oh, well, who's on Thursday Night Football this week? S--t. That's what I have to watch on Thursday Night Football?'

"So, why not just spend a couple extra million dollars, which we know they all have, to just grass all the fields? It doesn't seem that difficult."

If stadiums can install natural grass for the World Cup, Kittle believes they can do the same for the players who help drive the league's success.




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