FIFA has told delegates to the second FIFA Field Day event at Michigan State University, that a pilot project at Dallas Stadium whereby a newly installed pitch was maintained close to full FIFA World Cup specifications across its three matches,  was concluded successful.

The 100% natural turf was delivered and installed shortly before the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 tournament.

An alternative ‘fast installation’ pitch design was also followed for the Canada vs Mexico match at the venue on 10 September, with both programmes receiving positive feedback from the players, team staff and venue operations staff.

Both installations were part of a series of Stadium Pitch Observations by the FIFA World Cup 26™ Pitch Management Team.

They had the unique opportunity to assess installations on an individual basis at a number of venues that will be used in 2026, see venue pitch maintenance teams operating under event load, and conduct additional testing at the conclusion of a multiple pitch tournament live to see how they fared across the competition.

FIFA hosted its second Research Field Day event to discuss summer observation programmes and pilot project conclusions, inspect the turf research & development (R&D) facility at Michigan State University (MSU) and meet with the teams working to ensure high quality pitches for FIFA World Cup 26™ venues and training sites.

The event was attended by over 40 specialised pitch managers, sod farmers and industry leaders.

“At this stage of the pitch preparations I am delighted with what the team have been able to research and already bring to life,” said Alan David Ferguson, Senior Pitch Management Manager at FIFA.

“The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the biggest edition ever and our involvement in this will also be the biggest pitch delivery ever. We are fortunate to have so many of the top turf brains in the world working in country or remotely helping us along way.”