New website explores how UT’s turfgrass team prepared the pitches for the world’s most watched sporting event
More than a billion people will watch every kick, save, and goal during FIFA World Cup 26. And every game will take place on a natural turfgrass pitch perfected through turfgrass management research by experts at the University of Tennessee. Distinguished Professor of Turfgrass Science and Management John Sorochan and his team of turfgrass scientists are leading a first-of-its-kind research collaboration with Michigan State University and FIFA, the global governing body for soccer, to set the stage for the world’s biggest and most-watched sporting event—FIFA World Cup 26.
UT is heading up the installation, testing, and maintenance of natural turfgrass at 16 stadiums and dozens of training facilities across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Over the course of five years, UT’s turfgrass scientists have spent countless hours and conducted more than 170 experiments in pursuit of safe and consistent pitches for FIFA World Cup 26 and for the world-class atheletes who will play the matches. They have developed turf systems for different kinds of stadiums, grown grass, and worked with sod farmers and stadium managers.
The University of Tennessee’s research collaboration with FIFA will reach beyond FIFA World Cup 26. The impact of this work stretches from youth league sports to professional sports, academics to career outcomes, and even has potential to change the way we grow food.
Take a look at the research team’s journey from seed to stadium and beyond at the turfgrass website.