“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,” said Matthew Daum, dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. “The FIFA turfgrass project builds on our foundation of past successes, but more importantly, it paves the way for new innovations — and a new generation of world-leading Spartan turf talent.”

Led by John “Trey” Rogers III, a professor in MSU’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and a turfgrass expert, researchers crafted a blend of Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass or Bermudagrass that will be used in each stadium. The mixture can be grown in sand on plastic, making it easier to replicate at sod farms across North America.

“Through the unprecedented funding levels provided by FIFA…we feel our contributions and efforts provided answers for the tournament’s needs as well as pathways forward for sports fields and turfgrass for years to come,” Rogers said. “It has been both a pleasure and humbling to participate.”

One challenge the researchers faced is regional climate variation, with stadiums stretching as far north as Vancouver and as far south as Mexico City. While different turfgrasses thrive in different environments, the playing surfaces must be identical to ensure fairness for each team. The 2022 World Cup final reportedly drew about 1.5 billion viewers, so all eyes will be on the grass developed at MSU.

“It’s really cool, because it’s the biggest sporting event ever,” said international relations sophomore Sam Putt. “Billions of people are going to watch, hundreds of millions are going to be here in the United States, Canada and Mexico for it. It’s just really cool to think that it will be on grass put down by MSU.”

The turfgrass has already been installed in stadiums in Boston, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Toronto, Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara. It will be installed at the remaining stadiums and training facilities in the coming weeks.

This isn’t the first time MSU has played a part in the World Cup. In 1994, Rogers worked to develop portable turfgrass that could be transported from stadium to stadium. His team installed a temporary grass field at the Pontiac Silverdome, growing it indoors and transporting it to the venue. Rogers is credited with helping to make this innovation the industry standard, which he developed at MSU.

“We have a great turf management program here,” Putt said. “You know, soccer is referred to as the beautiful game for a reason. It’s so cool that it culminates in this tournament, where the best of the best play, and that MSU is a part of it.”