FIFA Overseeing Turf Research at UT, MSU

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has been making his presence in the US known ahead of 2026, where he’s been following turf studies the governing body has invested in at the Universities of Tennessee (“UT”) and Michigan State (“MSU”). Infantino recently visited UT, where he praised the work being done to create best case scenario pitch quality, even at domed stadiums:

The FIFA Club World Cup has been part of the considerations, with the goal of creating the best grass in the world from a field of experts assembled by the two universities. Playing on the same quality of surface at altitude versus sea level and in domed versus non-domed stadiums is the goal of the research.

At an October 2 field day, MSU, UT and FIFA hosted “stadium managers and sod farmers who will oversee installing, removing and transporting the natural turf grass” for the 2026 World Cup. The investment by FIFA acknowledges that the 104 games will be played over an arguably vast array of climates. In MSU’s case, the relationship with FIFA dates back to the first time the US hosted the World Cup, in 1994. In hosting the biggest World Cup to date, with the widest collection of fields, FIFA seems to be doing its due diligence in ensuring high-quality field surfaces for the world’s best players.