Researchers and leaders from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and Michigan State University met with FIFA officials for the third FIFA Pitch Research Field Day event to review ongoing collaborative research aimed at developing optimal natural grass pitches for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The event, held in Knoxville April 15-17, showcased the groups’ work to advance science-based recommendations for pitch management in preparation for the FIFA World Cup 26.
In her welcoming remarks, UT Chancellor Donde Plowman commended the team’s efforts and expressed gratitude for the collaboration with FIFA and Michigan State. “Our work together exemplifies what land grant universities are all about — using our expertise and our collaborative spirit to conduct research that makes a real difference in the world,” she said.
Groups presented findings about advancing pitch establishment technologies and developing the optimal system to construct natural pitch over synthetic turf. The delegation toured the indoor testing facility where researchers have been working to determine best management practices and grow light requirements for domed stadiums, and participated in a demonstration of the fLEX Device, which simulates the foot strike of an athlete performing an acceleration, deceleration or cutting motion.
Alan Ferguson, FIFA senior pitch management manager, praised the leadership of John Sorochan, Distinguished Professor of Turfgrass Science and Management in UT’s Herbert College of Agriculture, and Trey Rogers of MSU. “Their reputations go before them globally, and it still remains one of the easiest decisions I had to make in this project to get them on board,” Ferguson said. “What they’ve done has been incredible.”
FIFA World Cup 26 will take place in June and July, with 48 teams playing across 16 cities, four time zones, and three climatic zones in Canada, Mexico and the United States. Following the June 2022 announcement of the host cities and venues, FIFA’s pitch management team launched a five-year research and development initiative with UT and MSU to produce the best possible playing surfaces for what will be the largest sporting event in history. The project’s scope was later expanded to include the first FIFA Club World Cup competition, held in 2025.
Sorochan said he expects FIFA’s backing of innovative research at UT and MSU to leave a lasting impact on the sports turf industry. “It’s not just about the World Cup — I think it’s the legacy that this research is going to leave. We’re doing things and finding things that are going to help all levels of sports and all professions of sports that play on grass.”
In April 2024, UT hosted the inaugural FIFA Pitch Research Field Day, the first official gathering of pitch managers from all 16 host city stadiums and training sites. Representatives from FIFA member associations, confederations, leagues, clubs and industry suppliers were present as more than 200 turf specialists discussed the challenges and opportunities of the project. MSU hosted the second FIFA Pitch Research Field Day in October 2024, with more than 40 specialized pitch managers and industry leaders discussing best practices, industry innovations and pilot program results.
Earlier this year, FIFA President Gianni Infantino visited UT’s state-of-the-art turf research and development facility, praising the efforts led by Sorochan and thanking university leadership for their support of the project.
Learn more about UT’s turfgrass research work with FIFA.
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