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Custom-made lawns were developed to withstand heat, cold, covered stadiums, and arenas originally made for synthetic grass.
The 2026 World Cup will have a silent protagonist beneath the players’ feet. The lawn that will host the teams was developed over nearly 8 years of research, with support from universities in the United States.
The competition begins on June 11, 2026 and will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament will feature 48 teams and 104 matches, the largest format ever organized by FIFA.
The technical challenge was to create a similar surface in venues with completely different climates. Vancouver, in Canada, will have different conditions from Monterrey, in northern Mexico, where the heat tends to be much more intense.
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Technical research created two types of lawns for the Cup
The preparation of the fields was conducted by specialists from the University of Tennessee and Michigan State University, according to a report by the site Grist.
The researchers arrived at two main grass mixtures to cater to different climatic scenarios. The choice took into account temperature, sun exposure, ventilation, and previous use of the stadiums.
In the hotter locations, the specialists opted for Bermuda grass, known for better resistance to high temperatures.
In the colder or closed stadiums, the solution combined perennial ryegrass with Kentucky bluegrass. The seedlings were cultivated in ten specialized farms in the three host countries.
Arenas with synthetic grass required extra engineering
The work became even more complex because eight World Cup stadiums normally use synthetic grass. Many of these arenas host matches of the professional American football league in the United States.
In Seattle, the artificial field needed to undergo a profound transformation. First, technicians installed a special drainage and ventilation structure.
Then, more than 25 centimeters of sand and a layer of natural grass reinforced with synthetic fibers were applied. The solution aimed to deliver stability, safety, and a standard similar to the other fields.
Pink lights became a solution for a stadium without enough sun
The Dallas stadium will host nine matches, more than any other World Cup venue. However, the retractable roof prevents sunlight from reaching much of the field.
Engineers installed large suspended pink lights over the field to keep the grass alive. The system provides the necessary radiation for photosynthesis even without direct sun exposure.
The technology is similar to resources used in precision agriculture, where light, water, ventilation, and plant growth are monitored with greater control.
Stadium technology may reach parks and public areas
The innovation was designed for the world’s largest sporting event, but it may find other uses after the World Cup. Researchers believe that the systems can help create more resilient and sustainable lawns.
Parks, sports centers, and public areas can benefit from these solutions. Among the possibilities are hydroponic systems capable of recycling water used in irrigation.
This technology can reduce waste, improve cultivation efficiency, and make the maintenance of green areas smarter.
The field can also influence the spectacle
An uneven field can change the ball’s bounce, increase injury risks, and affect athletes’ performance. Therefore, the field has become part of the sports engineering of the World Cup.
The preparation shows that every detail of the 2026 World Cup was designed to create more similar conditions among the venues. While fans follow goals, dribbles, and teams, a silent structure will be working under the cleats.
After almost 8 years of research, could the perfect field also influence the course of the largest World Cup in history?
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