From Mexico City to New York, MSU turfgrass scientists are helping design the natural playing surfaces for all 16 FIFA World Cup 2026 stadiums—using decades of research to deliver elite-level consistency across three countries.
When millions of soccer fans tune in to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup, they'll focus on spectacular goals, breathtaking saves, and unforgettable moments. Few will notice the meticulously engineered natural grass beneath the world's greatest players—a result that, according to Michigan State University researchers, will actually mean the project succeeded.
Behind every World Cup match lies years of scientific research, turfgrass engineering, and logistical precision led in part by Michigan State University (MSU) Professor John "Trey" Rogers III, whose work is helping create consistent playing surfaces across the tournament's unprecedented 16 host stadiums in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
"It's engineered from the ground up," Rogers explained, describing the challenge of ensuring every stadium provides the same world-class playing experience despite dramatic differences in geography, climate, and stadium design.
