It’s not easy qualifying for the FIFA World CupTM, but Michigan State University’s internationally recognized turfgrass management program has received a second invitation from the international soccer governing body to provide playing surfaces for the 2026 event’s 16 host city stadiums in North America.
MSU turfgrass specialists led by John “Trey” Rogers III, a professor of turfgrass research in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, played a role in the 1994 FIFA World Cup when they installed a temporary grass field at the Pontiac Silverdome.
Nearly three decades ago, the challenge was to grow turfgrass indoors that could be installed and removed from a venue. The first round involved building hexagon-shaped modules filled with turfgrass. The containers were more than 8 feet wide and about 6 inches deep to accommodate the turfgrass, its root system and root zone. The team showed that portable turf is possible and, now, it is common in the industry.
“We always felt the pressure of this project,” Rogers said. “Specifically, in carrying forward sports turf innovations.”
With the grant funding investment from FIFA, the challenge for turf teams at MSU and partners at the University of Tennessee involves developing fields for competitive play in diverse climates across the tournament’s three host countries: Canada, Mexico and the United States.
“The fact that MSU’s turfgrass program was asked to participate and was selected for a second time shows our expertise and leadership in this field,” Rogers said.
Rogers has partnered with John Sorochan, a Distinguished Professor of Turfgrass Science and Management at the University of Tennessee. Sorochan was a graduate student of Rogers’ and worked on the World Cup project in 1994. Now, Rogers and Sorochan are co-principal investigators for the 2026 competition.
“Part of the contributions revolve around temporary pitch field construction,” said Rogers. “The goal is to be able to rapidly install a field into a stadium that normally does not have natural grass.”
For its part, MSU developed a cool season turfgrass mixture comprised of Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass that can be grown in sand on plastic making it easier to replicate at sod farms across North America. The best combinations of turfgrass will be transferred to the University of Tennessee to test under indoor domed conditions.
This investment also provides an opportunity for past and current graduate and undergraduate students and technicians (Ryan Bearss, Jackie Guevara, Jake Kilby and Evan Rogers) in MSU’s turfgrass program to participate in this project that will stay with them forever.
“The work done from 1992 to 1994 led to 30 years of innovation and adoption by the turfgrass science industry,” said Brian Horgan, professor and chair of the MSU Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences. Horgan was also an undergraduate student of Rogers’ during this time and worked on the first FIFA project. “It was an important experience in my career,” Horgan said. “I still talk about it.”
MSU turfgrass specialists led by John “Trey” Rogers III, a professor of turfgrass research in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, played a role in the 1994 FIFA World Cup when they installed a temporary grass field at the Pontiac Silverdome.
Nearly three decades ago, the challenge was to grow turfgrass indoors that could be installed and removed from a venue. The first round involved building hexagon-shaped modules filled with turfgrass. The containers were more than 8 feet wide and about 6 inches deep to accommodate the turfgrass, its root system and root zone. The team showed that portable turf is possible and, now, it is common in the industry.
“We always felt the pressure of this project,” Rogers said. “Specifically, in carrying forward sports turf innovations.”
With the grant funding investment from FIFA, the challenge for turf teams at MSU and partners at the University of Tennessee involves developing fields for competitive play in diverse climates across the tournament’s three host countries: Canada, Mexico and the United States.
“The fact that MSU’s turfgrass program was asked to participate and was selected for a second time shows our expertise and leadership in this field,” Rogers said.
Rogers has partnered with John Sorochan, a Distinguished Professor of Turfgrass Science and Management at the University of Tennessee. Sorochan was a graduate student of Rogers’ and worked on the World Cup project in 1994. Now, Rogers and Sorochan are co-principal investigators for the 2026 competition.
“Part of the contributions revolve around temporary pitch field construction,” said Rogers. “The goal is to be able to rapidly install a field into a stadium that normally does not have natural grass.”
For its part, MSU developed a cool season turfgrass mixture comprised of Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass that can be grown in sand on plastic making it easier to replicate at sod farms across North America. The best combinations of turfgrass will be transferred to the University of Tennessee to test under indoor domed conditions.
This investment also provides an opportunity for past and current graduate and undergraduate students and technicians (Ryan Bearss, Jackie Guevara, Jake Kilby and Evan Rogers) in MSU’s turfgrass program to participate in this project that will stay with them forever.
“The work done from 1992 to 1994 led to 30 years of innovation and adoption by the turfgrass science industry,” said Brian Horgan, professor and chair of the MSU Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences. Horgan was also an undergraduate student of Rogers’ during this time and worked on the first FIFA project. “It was an important experience in my career,” Horgan said. “I still talk about it.”