The World Cup has landed in the United States and soccer has taken over the 11 host cities.

Various stadia from the NFL are being utilized as soccer nations from across the globe shed some light on what it has to offer.

While all 32 NFL teams prepare for the start of their training camps, all eyes are firmly on what global football has to offer.

There have been plenty of positives for Roger Goodell to consider as potential ways to improve the product provided by the NFL.

However, there have also been some negatives that the NFL must take note of to make sure they do not make it into America’s game.

Turf pitches

For years now, NFL players have been calling for their organisations to replace their artificial turf pitches with the real deal.

In a recent NFLPA survey, 92% of NFL players admitted they would prefer to play on natural grass surfaces.

Despite this, only half of the 30 NFL stadiums actually use natural grass, with the other half sticking to the artificial turf.

The 15 NFL stadiums that use real grass include:

• State Farm Stadium – Arizona Cardinals
• M&T Bank Stadium – Baltimore Ravens
• Soldier Field – Chicago Bears
• Huntington Bank Field – Cleveland Browns
• Empower Field at Mile High – Denver Broncos
• Lambeau Field – Green Bay Packers
• TIAA Bank Field – Jacksonville Jaguars
• GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium – Kansas City Chiefs
• Allegiant Stadium – Las Vegas Raiders
• Hard Rock Stadium – Miami Dolphins
• Lincoln Financial Field – Philadelphia Eagles
• Acrisure Stadium – Pittsburgh Steelers
• Levi’s Stadium – San Francisco 49ers
• Raymond James Stadium – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• FedExField – Washington Commanders

There is a strong belief that the artificial surfaces actually have a big role to play in the significant amount of ligament injuries that unfold during the NFL season.

Speaking on the matter, Jerry Jones rejected this notion, with the Dallas Cowboys owner making it clear that it economically was not viable.

“We have no belief that it’s any safer to play on a grass [field] or a turf. We are ambiguous as to the safety of it,” he said.

“The turf, actually like many things, improves the economics of being able to play this game and our players are the biggest benefactor of all.”

Fans first over profit

The World Cup has shown the power of the fans.

You only have to look at how well the Scotland supporters were welcomed in Boston and the atmosphere the Norway fans have created after their victories.

There is a real unconditional bond between supporters and their teams in soccer and it feels as if the NFL still continues to value profit over support.

Take the Las Vegas Raiders, for example, or even Los Angeles Chargers and Rams, all three of those organizations have been uprooted and moved hundreds of miles away over recent years.

The reality is those moves were facilitated to capitalize on the financial opportunities in Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

Despite just winning the Super Bowl and boasting the ’12 as One’ mantra, there will be some nervous fans of the Seattle Seahawks amid their expected takeover bid.

Fans are what make soccer truly great and it is perhaps time more of a focus is put on putting supporters first in the NFL over the money.

Stop increasing the number of games

The 2026 World Cup is the first tournament to be held since FIFA introduced the 48-team layout.

Historically, the World Cup has been a 32-team tournament and, as a result, the total number of games has been expanded from 64 to 108.

Although there is no indication that the NFL will expand the league to add more teams, there is the continuous suggestion that more games will be added to the seasons.

Back in 2021, the NFL season was increased from 16 games to 17, with the prospect of another game being added already suggested by some owners.

This is something that simply has to be avoided.

By increasing the games the NFL is risking an increase in injuries and a decrease in the quality of the games.

However, as fans will be all too aware, the decision will likely come down to money rather than the well-being of the players.