The University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s world-renowned turfgrass program, led by Distinguished Professor John Sorochan, is earning national and international headlines ahead of FIFA World Cup 26, as journalists and fans turn their attention to the science and research behind safe, high-performance playing surfaces.
The mission to achieve this ambitious goal began nearly five years ago when the FIFA Pitch Management Team selected UT, in collaboration with Michigan State University, to research, develop, deliver and maintain consistent pitches across three countries — a project unprecedented in scope and scale.
From the lab to the field, UT is at the forefront of discovery and innovation, translating research into a lasting impact. The selected coverage below reflects that work in action, spotlighting UT’s excellence.
National Recognition
The New York Times, the “Today” show, “PBS NewsHour,” The Washington Post, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, the Associated Press, Business Insider, NPR, ESPN, The Atlantic and USA Today represent just a handful of the national media outlets that have covered UT’s turfgrass research for FIFA World Cup 26. Explore some of the major highlights below.
International Coverage
With teams from 48 nations featured in the year’s World Cup — the largest in history — international interest in the event has led to global headlines for UT’s research.
Top Industry Journals
Beyond mainstream news outlets, UT’s turfgrass experts are being recognized as scientific authorities across industry, science and sports business sectors.
Local and Regional Impact
Local and regional coverage has played an essential role in telling the story of UT’s turfgrass program, connecting the science and research to the Volunteer State.
Report an accessibility barrier