NFL Stadiums Converting to Grass for FIFA World Cup Seems a “Little Bizarre” to Nick Bosa

Nick Bosa finds it bizarre that NFL teams will remove the grass after the FIFA World Cup ends.

NFL Stadiums Converting to Grass for FIFA World Cup Seems a “Little Bizarre” to Nick Bosa

Levi's Stadium and Nick Bosa inside the circle (Image via IMAGO/X)

In Short
  • Levi’s Stadium is converting to grass for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but the 49ers will not use it.
  • Nick Bosa finds the temporary switch from turf to grass "bizarre" and reflects on player safety concerns.
  • NFL teams will revert to artificial turf after the World Cup, despite ongoing debates about injury risks associated with turf.

Levi’s Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49ers, is getting a new turf made of grass. The only catch is that the 49ers won’t be using it. The grass is being laid for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, which Niners star pass rusher Nick Bosa finds “bizarre.”

To meet FIFA requirements, multiple NFL venues that normally use artificial turf, including Levi’s Stadium, MetLife Stadium, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and SoFi Stadium, are ditching the artificial turf for grass. But that’s only temporary. After the World Cup ends, the NFL teams will reinstall the old turf ahead of the 2026 season.

Nick Bosa isn’t a fan of this. “It’s a little bizarre. But what can you expect?” Bosa told the reporters after practice on Wednesday.

The debate surrounding grass versus artificial turf isn’t new. For years, players have demanded that the NFL switch to grass permanently. According to the NFLPA, this would significantly reduce the risk of injury.

According to a study conducted by the players’ association, athletes picked up more injuries playing on turf compared to grass.

Instead of following the long-term data (which is clear on this issue), listening to players and making the game safer. The NFL used an outlier year to engage in a PR campaign to convince everyone that the problem doesn’t actually exist.

Former NFLPA president JC Tretter said in 2023

But there’s a counterargument against using grass for American football. Turf is more durable than grass and can withstand multiple events such as college football games, concerts, and large corporate gatherings.

Maintaining grass is expensive. Then again, injuries to players also come at a high cost, especially when that player is the franchise quarterback. For example, back on the opening day of the 2023 season, four-time NFL MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers succumbed to MetLife Stadium’s green turf monster. Rodgers tore his ACL and missed the entire season. He was released by the New York Jets in 2025.

More recently, Patrick Mahomes, Daniel Jones, and Bosa suffered season-ending ACL tears.

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How many 2026 FIFA World Cup games will Levi’s Stadium host?

For the first time, 48 teams are competing in the FIFA World Cup. The games are spread across three different host countries: the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

NFL Stadiums Converting to Grass for FIFA World Cup Seems a "Little Bizarre" to Nick Bosa
Nick Bosa (Image via IMAGO)

FIFA selected 11 US cities and stadiums for the games.

  1. Atlanta, Georgia: Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
  2. Boston, Massachusetts (Foxborough): Gillette Stadium
  3. Dallas, Texas (Arlington): AT&T Stadium
  4. Houston, Texas: NRG Stadium
  5. Kansas City, Missouri: Arrowhead Stadium
  6. San Francisco, California: Levi’s Stadium
  7. Los Angeles, Inglewood: SoFi Stadium
  8. Miami, Florida: Hard Rock Stadium
  9. New York/New Jersey: MetLife Stadium
  10. Philadelphia: Lincoln Financial Stadium
  11. Seattle, Washington: Lumen Field

Levi’s Stadium has been selected to host five World Cup group-stage games and a round of 32 game.

Schedule:

  1. June 13, 2026: Qatar vs. Switzerland
  2. June 16, 2026: Austria vs. Jordan
  3. June 19, 2026: Turkey vs. Paraguay
  4. June 22, 2026: Jordan vs. Algeria
  5. June 25, 2026: Paraguay vs. Australia
  6. July 1, 2026: Round of 32 (Winner of Group D vs. a third-place qualifier from Group B, E, F, I, or J)

What is the injury status of Nick Bosa?

Bosa tore his ACL in his right knee on Sept. 21 against the Arizona Cardinals. From then on, he indulged himself in rehab, but made occasional appearances at Niners games, chugged beer, and cracked smiles.

When reporters asked about the condition of his knee, Bosa replied that he plans on “being ready” around training camp in late July.

I’m pretty far along. [I’m] out on the field doing a lot of stuff, trying to just take it slow because I tend to push things quicker.

Bosa said via Kirsten Moran-Keller of FOX 40

Bosa, a former first-round draft pick, has played 85 games in a 49ers jersey. In those games, he has accumulated 278 combined tackles, 64.5 sacks, 91 TFLs, 9 passes defended, 13 forced fumbles, and 2 interceptions.

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