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.
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 DavyFIFA World Cup 26 Grass Facts
Meet the Experts
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.
Experts Worldwide
Spartan turfgrass management alums are applying their expertise at locations across the globe.
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.
In the News
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Why World Cup grass will travel hundreds of miles in refrigerated trucks before kickoff
Business Insider
Pitch perfect: Developing natural grass for the World Cup
CBS News
World Cup 2026: How Scientists Helped Engineer The Perfect Soccer Field
Forbes
World Cup grass in NFL stadiums stirs debate over field surface
ESPN
The Secrets of a Soccer-Turf Master
New York Times
World Cup grass fields have NFL players asking why they still play on turf
NBC News
The surprising science behind the 2026 World Cup grass
Scientific American
American Grass Could Ruin the World Cup
The Atlantic
Pitch Perfect: The science behind elite football surfaces
Reuters
Inside the 6-year process of turning American football fields into World Cup pitches
CNN
The quest to get perfect grass into 16 World Cup stadiums
Washington Post
World Cup history will be made on this grass. These scientists have spent decades perfecting it
BBC
We designed the turf for soccer's biggest World Cup ever - here's how we created the same playing experience across 3 countries
The Conversation
Support MSU Turf
Be a part of the future of the Turfgrass Management Program by contributing to the research that starts at MSU then ripples around the world.
