When John “Trey” Rogers III watches the 2026 World Cup, he’ll be paying closer attention to the grass than to the players crisscrossing it.

“I always watch the grass before I watch the game,” said Rogers, a professor of turfgrass research at Michigan State University’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

It’s little wonder Rogers focuses on the field given his central role in determining which grasses would provide the safest, most durable and consistent surface at 16 World Cup stadiums — and numerous training sites — across countries and climate zones. Rogers is among the scientists from Michigan State and the University of Tennessee who have spent five years researching and testing how to grow and impeccably maintain the best possible turfgrass for the largest World Cup in history, currently unfolding in the US, Canada and Mexico through July 19. When top-tier players from 48 countries step onto a field, their every juke, kick and save will be shaped by the researchers’ findings.

“The focus is on consistency and uniformity,” said John Sorochan, a UT professor of plant sciences and lead researcher on the project. “So when an athlete is running and cutting, whether in Miami, Mexico City or Vancouver, they shouldn’t feel any difference underfoot. Likewise, when the ball strikes the surface and reaches them, it should behave consistently.”

FIFA, the governing body behind the World Cup, quite literally wants an even playing field for all 104 tournament games. Divots and worn patches can affect footing, and even impact a match’s........

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