Days after hosting the World Cup semifinal match of Spain versus France, AT&T Stadium is already shedding its tournament look. The turnaround fueled backlash from fans against Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who didn't want the natural grass to remain.

AT&T installed a grass pitch (a blend of Kentucky bluegrass and ryegrass) that sits approximately two feet above the original field. But according to a July 16 X post by Fox 4 News, the temporary layer is already being dismantled.

“GOODBYE, GRASS,” Fox4News X post reported. “Crews at AT&T Stadium have already started the process of removing the grass pitch.” 

The video posted on the Fox4News X post showed the crew using heavy machinery to remove the grass field installed specifically for the World Cup.

The temporary installation reignited the long-running grass-versus-turf debate. Many NFL players and fans argued that natural grass is safer and reduces the risk of lower-body injuries compared to synthetic turf, which most of the NFL stadiums have.

The NFL argued that the injury rate between the artificial turf (0.43) and the grass field (0.42) per 100 plays for non-contact lower body injuries is a negligible difference.

However, the NFLPA’s data analysis showed 15-20% higher injury rates in artificial turf surfaces.

Jones had previously dismissed the injury concerns of the players during the grass versus turf debate. He said he was looking forward to getting back to business rather than retaining the grass field for the NFL.

"And so the combination of that, I'm very comfortable putting some grass down for soccer under regulations and proud to be able to do it, but quickly get that turf back out there to go about the other business of the stadium and the team," Jones said, per Jordan Raanan of ESPN.

With less than two months until the start of the 2026 season, fans criticized Jones for removing the natural grass.

Fans slam Jerry Jones as World Cup grass disappears from AT&T Stadium

Fans took to X to express their disappointment with Jones in reverting to synthetic turf, sharing similar sentiments as that of NFL players.

One fan was rueful about the removal, since they felt that the texture and look of real grass gave the stadium a natural touch.

"What an absolute shame, it gave the stadium much more life seeing the real grass," one fan wrote.

Another fan commented sarcastically about the blackout curtains that were installed to block the sunlight (due to the east-west alignment).

"Also, they have to remove the curtain in the end zone so the sun can get in everybody's eyes when they play football, right, Jeri?" another fan commented.

One fan brought up the health concerns of playing on the turf.

"Can't have those NFLers having working knees," they wrote.

Another X user pointed out that the NFL stadiums can maintain a grass field, considering they did so for the World Cup.

"So dumb, WC showed they can have and maintain natural grass; it should be mandatory," another fan wrote.

One fan called out the NFL Players Association for not supporting the players through the grass versus turf debate.

"NFLPA, your union can't even keep grass for your players; you should be ashamed and embarrassed," the fan commented.

For many fans, the World Cup only strengthened the argument that AT&T Stadium should keep natural grass for regular NFL games.

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Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Arundhoti Palit