{"id":89,"date":"2025-09-28T02:28:15","date_gmt":"2025-09-28T06:28:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/utk-stg.utk.edu\/turfgrass\/?page_id=89"},"modified":"2026-05-06T18:22:51","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T22:22:51","slug":"home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.utk.edu\/turfgrass\/","title":{"rendered":"Home"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Bringing UT’s Turfgrass Expertise to FIFA World Cup 26<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Tackling turfgrass<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What does it take to create the best pitches for FIFA World Cup 26\u2122? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Watch to learn more about UT\u2019s collaboration with FIFA for the World Cup.<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville\u2019s world-renowned turfgrass experts are leading a first-of-its-kind research collaboration with Michigan State University and FIFA, the global governing body for soccer, to set the stage for the world\u2019s biggest and most-watched sporting event\u2014FIFA World Cup 26 for some of the world\u2019s top athletes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UT is heading up the installation, testing, and maintenance of natural turfgrass at 16 stadiums and dozens of training facilities across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The goal is to ensure safe and consistent fields of play.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Watch to learn more about UT\u2019s collaboration with FIFA for the World Cup.<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n
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Explore the stadiums<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With locations in three countries across multiple climate zones, the 16 stadiums that will host FIFA World Cup 26 matches present varied scientific challenges for UT\u2019s team of experts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choose a stadium to learn more about the turfgrass developed and installed for that pitch.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n