Concerns are mounting over the playing conditions at Rio de Janeiro's Maracanã Stadium for the NFL's inaugural game in Brazil between the Baltimore Ravens and the Dallas Cowboys.
The stadium's grass has undergone active work, with fiber stitching being added to enhance "resistance and safety" for the players, according to reports. This intervention comes amid worries that the field could be loose, patchy, and lead to excessive slipping.
NFL Players Association executive director JC Tretter stated that the union's experts assessed the field and recommended the stitching to help the surface hold together. "Based on our experts’ assessment, the field needed better traction and stability," Tretter said in a statement. He added that equipment was brought in to reinforce as much of the field as possible before the game.
Tretter highlighted that these issues underscore the union's concerns about growing the game internationally. "The NFL has been clear they want to continue to grow the game internationally," Tretter noted. "However, growth alone cannot be the goal. The goal has to be growing the game while maintaining the standards our players deserve. If we can’t do both, then we need to make different decisions."
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson acknowledged the situation but indicated it would not be a primary focus. "I believe the NFL does a great job at having their specialists go out there and look over the fields," Jackson said. "I cannot worry about that. I just have to worry about getting us a dub in Brazil. [As for] the field, we have played on bad fields plenty of times, so I cannot really dwell on that."
Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer mentioned that players have been advised on selecting appropriate cleats for potentially challenging conditions. "At the end of the day, these guys have to wear things that make them feel comfortable, and if they’re slipping, then that’s going to be on them," Schottenheimer said.
The Rio contest is the second of nine international games scheduled by the NFL for 2026. The league's international slate began with the 49ers and Rams playing in Melbourne, Australia, in Week 1.