Mercedes-Benz Stadium installing real grass for FIFA Club World Cup
The first-ever FIFA Club World Cup will start next week, including matches in downtown Atlanta.
But to get ready, crews will have to turn the artificial turf field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium into a pitch of real grass.
Advertisement
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
Mercedes-Benz Stadium is the only indoor stadium of the 12 selected around the US for the FIFA Club World Cup.
Crews have worked nearly around the clock installing the hybrid turf, mostly natural with some artificial carpeting woven in.
'This particular grass has been growing between 12-18 months,' said Nick Pappas, MBS Pitch Advisor.
The cool-weather grass was trucked in from a sod farm in Colorado. It will need the roof closed, the temperature steady and grow lights on it for hours in between the six matches over three weeks.
'Grass isn't used to growing in an indoor environment. Especially when have matches being played as well, wear and tear that comes into play. And that's where the research came in,' FIFA Venue Manager Stuart Wilson said.
Advertisement
'So it's a mix of bluegrass and rye grass that's going to be more responsive and recuperative throughout the tournament,' Pappas said.
RELATED STORIES:
FIFA expects nearly capacity crowds packing around 72,000 seats the stadium with soccer fans from around the country and Europe.
It's a good test on and off the pitch for next summer's 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup matches.
That tournament will be even more extensive.
'We'll learn a lot of things this year, but a little bit of a different situation next year. We won't do an overlay next year. We'll do more substantial installation where we actually remove the artificial surface, remove pad beneath it, remove the asphalt, go down about 7-8 inches,' Pappas said.
Advertisement
After the matches wrap up July 4th weekend, the new grass goes away and the field returns to the artificial turf underneath it.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
36 minutes ago
- New York Times
Several World Cup host cities in the U.S. monitoring political situation amid President Trump's immigration crackdown
The U.S. host cities for the FIFA World Cup in 2026 admitted on Monday they were 'monitoring closely' the current political situation in the United States amid rising tensions over President Trump's crackdown on immigration — but insisted visitors will be made welcome at the tournament. FIFA's President Gianni Infantino claimed earlier this year that 'America will welcome the world' for next year's tournament, which will be shared across the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Infantino said: 'America will welcome the world. Everyone who wants to come here to enjoy, to have fun and to celebrate the game will be able to do that.' Advertisement Infantino has also claimed that FIFA's tournaments in the U.S., first the Club World Cup in 2025 and then the World Cup next year, will generate almost $50 billion in economic output for the U.S. Foreign travellers are integral to hitting these targets for both FIFA and the host cities. However, this past weekend has seen protests develop against the government, and clashes between protestors and the authorities. During an event in New York City to mark a year out from the 2026 tournament, host city officials were forced to address concerns that the current political environment may dissuade visitors from travelling to the United States. California has been a hotspot for the developments, with President Trump sending in the National Guard to protect immigration agents and the state of California now say they will file a lawsuit against the Trump administration. The administration last week imposed wide-ranging travel bans against over a dozen countries. Speaking in New York City, the Philadelphia host city executive Meg Kane said: 'For us as host cities, we recognize that our charge as host cities is to be prepared to welcome whomever is in our city and to make them feel welcome when they are there. There are certainly things that are happening at the national level, the international level. There are going to be geo-political issues that we don't even know right now that are going to affect the tournament next year. 'So we recognize that we're planning within uncertainty. One of the things that I think we all recognize is that we have to be really good at operating within that uncertainty. For each of our cities, we want to be prepared to make any person that makes the decision to come to the United States for this World Cup, feel that they are welcome. 'We do not play a role necessarily in what is happening in terms of the decisions that are made. What we can say is that the current administration — while there are certain situations that we are watching, that we are certainly monitoring closely — has been extremely supportive of the World Cup.' Advertisement 'It has to be recognized both now in the second term under President Trump — but also in the first term when President Trump was in power when the letters of intent were signed – how important FIFA World Cup is to elevating the nation and how important it is to sporting side. There is that understanding. I think we feel that that has been communicated to us at the federal level. 'We all share confidence in the fact that we're going to prepare our cities the best that we can. We allow for FIFA to continue having constructive conversations with the administration around visas, around workforce, around tourism, and that we will be prepared for whatever comes our way.' Speaking to The Athletic, Jason Krutzsch, Vice President, Marketing & Communications for the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission, said: 'We're actively monitoring. It's all unfolding in real time.' Asked to explain what monitoring actually entails, he added: 'We're all learning about it right now just how it's all unfolding and we're gonna use the information and figure out how to work across all the cities to deliver the most exceptional experience that we can next year. Meg said it on the stage to just really focus on (the fact that) people are coming and we need to be prepared for that, and we're going to be prepared for whoever is wanting to come. Our markets will be prepared to welcome them with open arms and deliver an exceptional experience.' (Yuki Iwamura/AFP via Getty Images)
Fox Sports
2 hours ago
- Fox Sports
2025 USMNT Gold Cup Roster: All 26 players on the squad
The U.S. Men's National Team has officially revealed its 26-man roster for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, aiming to reclaim the regional crown with a mix of veteran leadership, European-based talent, and rising domestic stars. The roster features players from 21 different clubs across MLS, Europe, and beyond. Below is the full, alphabetized player list, including each player's position and club affiliation. 2025 USMNT Gold Cup Roster Goalkeepers Chris Brady (Chicago Fire FC) Matt Freese (New York City FC) Matt Turner (Crystal Palace FC) Defenders Alex Freeman (Orlando City SC) Nathan Harriel (Philadelphia Union) Mark McKenzie (Toulouse FC) Tim Ream (Charlotte FC) Chris Richards (Crystal Palace FC) Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati) John Tolkin (Holstein Kiel) Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC) Midfielders Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United FC) Tyler Adams (AFC Bournemouth) Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew) Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps FC) Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis) Luca de la Torre (San Diego FC) Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake) Jack McGlynn (Houston Dynamo) Quinn Sullivan (Philadelphia Union) Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven) Forwards Paxten Aaronson (FC Utrecht) Patrick Agyemang (Charlotte FC) Damion Downs (FC Köln) Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps FC) Haji Wright (Coventry City FC) Who is missing from the USMNT Gold Cup roster? FOX Sports reported on Wednesday that star attacker Christian Pulisic would skip this summer's tournament following two grueling seasons with Italian club A.C. Milan. Weston McKennie and Tim Weah are unavailable because Juventus is participating in the FIFA Club World Cup instead, as is Gio Reyna's Borussia Pulisic's absence, U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker said in a statement:"Christian and his team approached the Federation and the coaching staff about the possibility of stepping back this summer, given the amount of matches he has played in the past two years at both the club and international level with very little break. "After thoughtful discussions and careful consideration, we made the collective decision that this is the right moment for him to get the rest he needs. The objective is to ensure he's fully prepared to perform at the highest level next season." "The principal objective is the World Cup," Pochettino told reporters via Zoom shortly after Thursday's announcement. "We decided the best [thing] for him and for the national team is the decision that we make." Several other prominent names are absent; 2024 U.S. Soccer Male Athlete of the Year Antonee "Jedi" Robinson is still dealing with the minor injuries that prevented him from participating in the Concacaf Nations League final four in March. Yunus Musah was supposed to be with their USMNT next month; Pochettino said he withdrew from consideration earlier this week for personal reasons. Joe Scally, Josh Sargent and Tanner Tessmann, who all started the Nations League semifinal loss to Panama, were also left off the squad, which will be trimmed to 26 on June 4, when the final list must be submitted to Concacaf. The Gold Cup begins on June 14, with the Americans kicking off group play against Trinidad and Tobago the following day. When does the USMNT play in the 2025 Gold Cup? The USMNT will have three group stage games. Check out how to watch below: Sunday, June 15 Thursday, June 19 USA vs. Saudi Arabia - 9:15 p.m. ET on FS1 Sunday, June 22 USA vs. Haiti - 7 p.m. ET on FOX recommended Get more from Gold Cup Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more in this topic
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Mercedes-Benz Stadium installing real grass for FIFA Club World Cup
The first-ever FIFA Club World Cup will start next week, including matches in downtown Atlanta. But to get ready, crews will have to turn the artificial turf field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium into a pitch of real grass. Advertisement [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Mercedes-Benz Stadium is the only indoor stadium of the 12 selected around the US for the FIFA Club World Cup. Crews have worked nearly around the clock installing the hybrid turf, mostly natural with some artificial carpeting woven in. 'This particular grass has been growing between 12-18 months,' said Nick Pappas, MBS Pitch Advisor. The cool-weather grass was trucked in from a sod farm in Colorado. It will need the roof closed, the temperature steady and grow lights on it for hours in between the six matches over three weeks. 'Grass isn't used to growing in an indoor environment. Especially when have matches being played as well, wear and tear that comes into play. And that's where the research came in,' FIFA Venue Manager Stuart Wilson said. Advertisement 'So it's a mix of bluegrass and rye grass that's going to be more responsive and recuperative throughout the tournament,' Pappas said. RELATED STORIES: FIFA expects nearly capacity crowds packing around 72,000 seats the stadium with soccer fans from around the country and Europe. It's a good test on and off the pitch for next summer's 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup matches. That tournament will be even more extensive. 'We'll learn a lot of things this year, but a little bit of a different situation next year. We won't do an overlay next year. We'll do more substantial installation where we actually remove the artificial surface, remove pad beneath it, remove the asphalt, go down about 7-8 inches,' Pappas said. Advertisement After the matches wrap up July 4th weekend, the new grass goes away and the field returns to the artificial turf underneath it. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
