
Since the 1960s, MSU has been a leader in turfgrass development, having created the indoor grass for Detroit's Pontiac Silverdome during the 1994 World Cup soccer tournament.
For the second time, Michigan State University's Turfgrass Management Team, led by John N. "Trey" Rogers III, Ph.D., will partner with FIFA to grow, install and maintain the playing surfaces for the FIFA World Cup.
Partnering with University of Tennessee Turfgrass Science and Management, led by MSU alumni John Sorochan, Ph.D., MSU faculty and students have spent the past four years growing sod, testing techniques and implementing strategies to prepare 16 different host sites for the 2026 World Cup.
Read more about FIFA partnership
News
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MSU AgBioResearch, MSU Extension to host field days around the state this summer
Published on May 28, 2024
Growers and producers will have the chance to participate in field days across Michigan. -
Spring blooming lawn and garden weeds: A focus on winter annual identification and management
Published on April 5, 2024
Understand your spring blooming lawn and garden weeds for better control. -
Highlights from Turfgrass Field Day 2023
Published on July 28, 2023
MSU Turf spreads the word about developing better grass for big events – and more -
Will my turf recover from recent flooding?
Published on April 10, 2023
Recent rainfall events caused flooding on golf courses, lawns and other turf areas. Depending on how long the turf was submerged and whether soil deposition occurred will determine whether turf survives. -
Suspected annual bluegrass weevil on golf course in Michigan
Published on June 13, 2022
Suspected annual bluegrass weevil has been initially identified on a golf course in southeast Michigan. This is a significant pest for golf course turf, especially annual bluegrass, and if confirmed will be the first occurrence in Michigan.
MSU Turfgrass in the news
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World Cup watch: MSU students, staff ready for global competition, to showcase sod
Published on June 3, 2025 by Michigan Farm News
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Local turf farm works with FIFA to bring World Cup-ready field to Philly
Published on May 29, 2025 by NBC-10 Philadelphia
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Pitch Perfect: FIFA teams with turf gurus to create fields for Club World Cup, World Cup
Published on April 16, 2025 by Miami Herald
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MSU turfgrass research assisting FIFA World Cup '26
Published on November 26, 2024 by The Detroit News
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Inside FIFA’s $3M World Cup Research Deal With Tennessee, Michigan State
Published on October 30, 2024 by Sportico
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Researchers work to make pitch-perfect turf for the 2026 World Cup
Published on October 9, 2024 by NPR
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World Cup 2026 Aims for Perfect Soccer Pitch
Published on August 30, 2024 by Newsweek
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FIFA-Led Research Designing World Cup 2026 Fields
Published on April 12, 2024 by Forbes