Every four years, football becomes more than just a sport. It turns into a universal language, a shared identity, and a collective emotion that brings together people, cultures, and stories from every corner of the world.

The FIFA World Cup 2026™ will be much more than a sporting competition. It will be an unprecedented global event. For the first time, the tournament will feature 48 national teams and will be played across 16 host cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. A total of 104 matches will be held under vastly different climatic conditions, with more than 5,000 kilometers separating some of the venues.

Despite these environmental differences, the world's best players will be expected to compete on surfaces that provide consistent playing conditions throughout the tournament. This complex challenge has been entrusted to a research team from Michigan State University, which has been working alongside FIFA for more than three years to develop and validate the agronomic standards for the World Cup pitches. Drawing on more than 70 years of turfgrass research experience, MSU experts have been tasked with delivering high-performance, uniform playing surfaces, ensuring that ball roll, footing, and overall field performance remain as consistent as possible from Los Angeles to Vancouver and Mexico City.

To achieve this goal, researchers selected the most suitable combinations of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) for hybrid systems, while also identifying the best Bermudagrass varieties for each host venue.

Among the selected cultivars are several varieties included in the Fito' portfolio.

Mexico City's iconic Estadio Azteca, which will host the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, has been established using a seed blend featuring Blue Gem Kentucky bluegrass and Process perennial ryegrass. Both varieties were chosen for their outstanding turf quality, wear tolerance, and recovery potential.

Tahoma 31 Bermudagrass, internationally recognized for its durability, density, and stress tolerance, has also been selected for some of the tournament's most prestigious venues:

• MetLife Stadium – New York/New Jersey, USA
• Levi's Stadium – Santa Clara, California, USA
• Estadio BBVA – Monterrey, Mexico

Of course, selecting the right turfgrass genetics is only part of the equation. FIFA World Cup 2026™ pitches will also be supported by advanced ventilation systems, climate-control technologies, and supplemental LED lighting, all designed to maintain optimal playing conditions throughout more than 40 days of elite-level competition.

The presence of Blue Gem, Process, and Tahoma 31 on the fields that will host the world's most important football event once again highlights the value of Fito' genetics and the crucial role that turfgrass breeding plays in delivering world-class sports surfaces.