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.

News

MSU AgBioResearch, MSU Extension announce 2025 field days

Published on May 8, 2025
The events will take place across Michigan from May through September.
Celebrating the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation’s 50 years of impact at MSU

Published on December 18, 2024
Since 1974, philanthropic support from the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation has strengthened MSU’s world-renowned turfgrass program.
MSU showcases turfgrass tech ahead of the FIFA World Cup 26

Published on October 23, 2024
MSU’s internationally recognized turfgrass management program has received a second invitation from the FIFA to provide playing surfaces for the FIFA World Cup 26.
Suspect herbicide resistance? Submit weed seeds for screening

Published on October 11, 2024
October is the prime time to collect and submit weed seeds for herbicide resistance screening.
Graduate Students Jack Guevara, Ryan Bearss and Jake Kilby present Turfgrass research at conference abroad

Published on August 30, 2024
Development of a shallow turfgrass profile – a temporary natural field system that will be used in the 2026 FIFA World Cup games – was the topic for this turf team at the Int'l Sports Engineering Assoc Conference in United Kingdom.