Michigan State University growing turf grass for 2026 FIFA World Cup

EAST LANSING, Mich. (WILX) -The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup was held Friday in Washington, D.C., with the tournament set to be held next summer.

When the teams take to the pitch at 16 different venues across the U.S., Michigan State University will quietly be front and center.

The MSU Turfgrass Program is growing the grass that will be used for the temporary playing surfaces.

“Each roll of sod on will be about 3-and-a-half-foot wide and 40-foot-long,” said Professor Trey Rogers, MSU Turfgrass Program. “Now this means it will weigh around 3,000 pounds.”

He goes on to say the grass surfaces will be trucked into the stadiums from sod farms across the U.S. more than a month before the World Cup begins.

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