March 2026

FIFA Returns to UT for Final Pitch Management Research Field Day Ahead of World Cup 26

Mar 04, 2026 Highlight

John Sorochan, UT Distinguished Professor of Turfgrass Science and Management; Alan Ferguson, FIFA senior pitch management manager; UT Knoxville Chancellor Donde Plowman; Kaj Heyral, FIFA26 director of infrastructure and technical services; and Christian Stiegler, FIFA head of stadium and infrastructure management, pose during the 2026 Pitch Management Research Field Day at the Knoxville Convention Center in Knoxville, Tennessee, on Feb. 25, 2026.

World-renowned turfgrass expert John Sorochan, in UT’s Herbert College of Agriculture, is leading the research collaboration

General / AgResearch / Herbert College of Agriculture / Plant Sciences, Department of / UTIA / Turf