{
  "id": 9840951,
  "title": "NFLPA says experts are monitoring Maracana Stadium turf ahead of Cowboys-Ravens in Brazil",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/nflpa-says-experts-are-monitoring-maracana-stadium-turf-ahead-of",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-25T21:23:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/football/nfl/2026/09/25/nflpa-says-experts-are-monitoring-maracana-stadium-turf-ahead-of-cowboys-ravens-in-brazil"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The executive director of the NFL Players Association announced on Friday that both the NFL and the union have been closely monitoring the field conditions at Maracana Stadium for Sunday's Dallas vs. Baltimore game. Union experts expressed concerns about loose turf that could cause excessive slipping. JC Tretter, a union official, stated that the experts recommended reinforced stitching and equipment to reinforce the field. The NFL has shipped a tarp to protect the turf due to heavy rainfall over the past six weeks. The league has played in Brazil since 2024, with two previous games at a smaller arena in Sao Paulo. Despite concerns from some soccer players about field conditions, the NFL remains confident in the playing surface's safety. Tretter emphasized the importance of addressing field standards for player safety and performance, citing issues like melting cleats in Nashville and frozen fields creating risks. This will be one of nine international games on the NFL schedule this season.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}