EAST LANSING, Mich. — The 2026 World Cup is coming to North America with an ambitious plan, expanding the field by 50% and spreading the soccer spectacle over 16 cities in three countries with multiple climates and elevations.
FIFA, aiming to create the perfect pitch for every venue, partnered with turf experts at the University of Tennessee and Michigan State University to research and develop the best surfaces for the tournament.
When the World Cup begins in less than two years with 48 teams playing 104 matches in Canada, Mexico and the United States, no one wants the field — or pitch, as many soccer aficionados call it — to be a topic of conversation like it was earlier this summer for a different major tournament.
The Copa America, which South American soccer body CONMEBOL organizes every four years, was dogged by problems with shaky surfaces.
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez called the grass field that replaced synthetic turf a “disaster,” after beating Canada in the opener on June 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Criticism continued with other teams and coaches early in the tournament.