How SteelMaster Buildings and Top Turf Experts Are Preparing for the FIFA World Cup 2026

Preparations for major events like the FIFA World Cup require meticulous planning and the use of cutting-edge technology. Every detail matters, including the quality of the grass on the field. And because all FIFA-sanctioned soccer matches must be played on natural sod, it can be argued that nothing is more important for the world’s largest sporting event. To ensure the highest standards are met, FIFA partnered with the University of Tennessee (UT) and Michigan State University (MSU), two globally renowned research leaders who specialize in turf technology and player welfare to create the perfect pitches for the FIFA World Cup 26.

An Innovative Collaboration

Dr. John Sorochan, distinguished Professor of Turf grass Science and Management at UT collaborated with FIFA Infrastructure leadership to create a one-of-a kind structure to perform specialized turf testing in preparation for the first North American World Cup that will take place in the USA, Canada, and Mexico simultaneously. Senior Building Specialist Cody Heitzer was called upon to design a state-of-the-art testing facility.

Sorochan explained that the use of a SteelMaster building could lead to environmental and cost benefits. “Sustainability is kind of a unique component to this. The ability to produce a harvestable sod in as much as 16-20 weeks is paramount,” Sorochan told Inside FIFA.

Quonset Hut Testing Facility

Inside the building, which has been christened the “FIFA Lighthouse”, Sorochan and his team of researchers analyze turf behavior under different lighting conditions and other variables to cultivate turf that is up to FIFA’s exacting standards. A tournament with events in various venues, time zones, and climates, Sorochan is tasked with delivering uniform and consistent natural grass pitches.

This April, UT hosted the FIFA Pitch Research Field Day; an event attended by key stakeholders from FIFA, to showcase their rigorous preparations for the 2026 World Cup. Rob Poellnitz, SteelMaster Buildings’ B2B President, attended the event.

He said, “SteelMaster is on the cutting edge of helping FIFA prepare for the 2026 World Cup. The testing that’s happening in our building will be the cornerstone of making the expanded 2026 tournament a success for the athletes and fans alike.”

As we eagerly anticipate the kickoff of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, SteelMaster Buildings is playing a vital role in shaping the tournament’s success. Our commitment to delivering excellence in building materials and design innovation sets the industry standard and aligns with FIFA’s vision, which will result in a memorable and successful event.

SteelMaster buildings offered the client the ideal environment for testing for numerous reasons:

1. High Quality Materials: SteelMaster buildings are engineered with a minimum of 22 gauge commercial-grade steel; the highest quality steel in the industry. The accompanying hardware performs far better than standard building fasteners and the panel configuration of our buildings is designed to ensure the contents of the structure are safe and in the desired environment. The FIFA Lighthouse needed 50 feet of clear span to manage the turf grow testing samples in exactly the right environment. Our Quonset hut design was the perfect solution.

2. Design Specifications: Demanding customers require the highest standards for their building performance. At SteelMaster, we have been the leaders in producing cutting edge clear-span arch buildings for over 40 years. We have the experience and expertise to ensure that your finished product meets the diverse needs of those who will be using the structure. Our design specialists worked closely with UT, MSU and the FIFA Infrastructure Team to create the exact building envelope and functionality necessary to run their test lab.

3. Speed of delivery and installation: SteelMaster buildings are prefabricated and simple to construct compared to more traditional methods. This was extremely beneficial for UT in beginning their testing procedures for the World Cup and its preliminary events which will begin in very short order.

As we eagerly anticipate the kickoff of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, SteelMaster Buildings is playing a vital role in shaping the tournament’s success. Our commitment to delivering innovation in design and building materials sets the industry standard and aligns with FIFA’s vision, which will result in a memorable and successful tournament.