FIFA President praises work of UT, Knoxville turf researchers 

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In a visit earlier this week, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has praised the groundbreaking efforts at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s (UTK) innovative turf and research development facility during a visit that highlighted the university’s pivotal role in preparing the best possible pitches for both the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 and FIFA World Cup 26.

Following the June 2022 announcement of host cities and venues for the FIFA World Cup 26, FIFA’s pitch management team launched a five-year research and development project with UTK and Michigan State University. The initiative — now expanded to include the first-ever FIFA Club World Cup — aims to produce perfect playing surfaces, ensuring consistency and top performance for players regardless of climate or stadium type.

Infantino praised the efforts led by industry-leading expert John Sorochan, Distinguished Professor of Turfgrass Science and Management in UTK’s Herbert College of Agriculture, and thanked university leadership for their support in bringing the project to fruition.

We have spotlighted the work of Sorochan, most recently in this August 29, 2024 teknovation. biz article that introduced “The fLEX,” a device that measures the performance and playability of surfaces such as Shields-Watkins Field. It was developed in collaboration with Kyley Dickson, Researcher and Co-Director of the UT Center for Athletic Field Safety.