MSU Turfgrass: Powering the FIFA World Cup 2026

MSU’s internationally recognized Turfgrass Management Program will take center stage in 2026. In collaboration with the International Federation of Association Football, or FIFA, and the University of Tennessee, MSU is helping provide the natural grass playing surfaces for the FIFA World Cup 26, bringing Spartan research to soccer’s biggest stage.

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MSU’s Turfgrass Legacy

From Beal to FIFA, MSU has been making an impact on turfgrass management professionals around the world for more than 100 years.

Research and Impact

John “Trey” Rogers III, a professor in MSU’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, has become a world-renowned expert in turfgrass, in part, for his work developing a revolutionary system to make turfgrass portable (so it could be transported and reused from stadium to stadium) for the 1994 World Cup. This innovative technology created at MSU has now become industry standard.

John Sorochan and John “Trey” Rogers III stand together on a field of grass. — John Sorochan and John “Trey” Rogers III in October 2024. Photo by Derrick L. Turner

Rogers thoughtfully built his team of faculty and students for the 1994 World Cup, which included then-undergraduate student John Sorochan who later became a graduate student under Rogers. Rogers’ teaching, guidance and mentorship led to Sorochan becoming a leading turfgrass researcher at the University of Tennessee. When Alan Ferguson, FIFA’s pitch management manager, wanted the best people working on the FIFA World Cup 26, he asked Rogers and Sorochan to lead the effort.

Now, Rogers and Sorochan are co-principal investigators on a FIFA grant to grow turfgrass for the upcoming World Cup (including all the practice and game fields). The challenge for the team in this World Cup will be delivering pristine turfgrass that performs across multiple venues in multiple climates while ensuring the turfgrass practice and play surfaces are consistent for all players.

What's Underneath the Turfgrass

Graphic by Howard Davy

FIFA World Cup 26 Grass Facts

3

species of grass

16

stadiums

88

total miles of natural sod

Meet the Experts

MSU Turfgrass staff Evan Rogers, John "Trey" Rogers, Ryan Bearss, Jackie Lyn Guevara. — Evan Rogers, John "Trey" Rogers III, Ryan Bearss and Jackie Lyn Guevara. Photo by Derrick L. Turner

John “Trey” Rogers III has been a professor of turfgrass research since 1988 in MSU’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. His research excellence and leadership has been a large part of MSU’s world-renown reputation as a leader and innovator in turfgrass research. Throughout his career, Rogers has trained and graduated over 1,000 students who work at some of the world’s top facilities for professional soccer, golf, baseball, football and more.

Jackie "Jack" Lyn Guevara is an assistant professor in the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Her research focuses on golf and sports turfgrass management.

Ryan Bearss is a research assistant in the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences. His work focuses on coordinating the research to support the FIFA World Cup 26’s playing and practice turfgrass surfaces.

Evan Rogers is a research assistant in the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Science. His work supports MSU's turfgrass for the FIFA World Cup 26.

World map with multiple green Spartan helmets covering the United States and Spain as well as other green Spartan helmets in Canada, United Kingdom, Milan and India.

Experts Worldwide

Spartan turfgrass management alums are applying their expertise at locations across the globe.

View the map

Read about how turfgrass management alums are making their mark on the field.

Media Kit

To arrange an interview or for questions about MSU and the FIFA World Cup 26 turfgrass, please reach out to Emilie Lorditch, public relations manager, at lorditch@msu.edu or Kim Ward, senior public relations manager at kward@msu.edu.

Photos, b-roll and infographics are available here.

A fact sheet about MSU's Hancock Turfgrass Research Center is available here.

More information about MSU's Turfgrass Management Program can be found here.