A Canadian individual played a crucial role in developing the turf for all 16 World Cup stadiums. Following the first FIFA World Cup 2026 match in Vancouver, Australian goalkeeper Patrick Beach was impressed not by the crowd or ambiance but by the quality of the grass field. Beach expressed his satisfaction with the pitch, especially when wet, noting the smooth ball movement. John Sorochan, a distinguished professor of turfgrass science and management at the University of Tennessee, led the team responsible for preparing and maintaining the grass pitches across the 16 World Cup stadiums in three different countries.
The extensive project involved years of research and testing to meet FIFA standards. Sorochan and his team collaborated with Michigan State University to develop the fields, a process that spanned five years. They conducted detailed studies on the ball’s impact and energy on the turf to ensure optimal playing conditions. Innovative methods, such as using specialized machines to test ball behavior and player movements on the grass, were employed to achieve the desired performance standards.
The stadiums hosting the World Cup matches across North America presented unique challenges due to varying environmental conditions. Different types of grass were selected based on the stadium’s location, with indoor stadiums featuring a blend of Kentucky bluegrass and ryegrass, while outdoor stadiums like Miami required Bermuda grass. Maintaining consistency in playing conditions across all stadiums was a key objective for the team.
Once the turf was installed, each stadium had a dedicated team to manage and care for the grass. Specialized maintenance practices, including irrigation systems and UV-light exposure, were implemented to ensure the turf remained in top condition throughout the tournament. Despite the meticulous planning and hard work involved, Sorochan could now take pride in the positive feedback from players, who praised the quality of the playing surface during the World Cup matches.