By Andi Anderson
Michigan State University is stepping onto the global stage as it begins the official countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2026. On December 5, the final draw takes place, and for MSU, it marks the start of a major milestone: providing the turfgrass for all 16 stadiums and multiple training facilities hosting the largest soccer tournament in the world.
For the first time in history, the World Cup will be shared across three countries — the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
MSU is known for more than 70 years of excellence in turfgrass research. This long history has earned the university the responsibility of developing world-class playing surfaces for the tournament.
MSU researchers, scientists, and students work closely with the University of Tennessee and FIFA to create safe, durable, and high-quality turfgrass systems that meet the demands of international soccer.
MSU’s partnership with FIFA is not new. During the 1994 World Cup, Spartan researchers designed a groundbreaking portable turfgrass system for indoor stadiums.
This system made it possible to grow healthy natural grass indoors and allowed venues to switch quickly between uses. Today, this MSU innovation remains the global industry standard.
Matthew Daum, dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, highlighted the importance of MSU’s work: “This summer, MSU turf research will take center stage at the world’s most-viewed sporting event, and we’re proud to take on this first-of-its-kind challenge alongside our University of Tennessee colleagues.”
Professor John “Trey” Rogers III, a leader in turfgrass science, developed the original 1994 portable system and continues advancing research for 2026. He explains the collaborative effort with great pride, saying researchers have been working since 2021 to ensure the safest possible fields for the event.
To support this global project, MSU launched a new turfgrass website featuring sections on turfgrass history, research impact, World Cup project details, expert profiles, media resources, and stories from the MSU community. The platform serves as a complete guide to understanding MSU’s role in shaping modern turfgrass science.
As the world prepares for the FIFA World Cup 2026, MSU’s turfgrass expertise demonstrates how agricultural research can influence sports, innovation, and global events on the biggest stage.
Photo Credit: michigan-state-university-msu
Categories: Michigan, General