How a Belgian Groundskeeper Is Crafting the Perfect Pitch for the 2026 World Cup
DALLAS — When the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in less than two years, one of the most critical yet invisible roles will belong to a 37-year-old Belgian grounds manager who has spent his career perfecting the art of grass cultivation for elite football.
Tom De Smet, the head groundsman of Belgian Pro League club KRC Genk, has been selected by FIFA to oversee the playing surface at AT&T Stadium in Dallas—the largest venue in the tournament with a capacity of 80,000. His mission? To ensure the pitch meets FIFA’s exacting standards for a competition where even a millimeter of unevenness can alter the trajectory of a 90 mph strike.
“The level of the field must be top, top, top,” De Smet told Belgian media ahead of his appointment. “This is not just about aesthetics. It’s about performance, safety, and ensuring the best possible conditions for the world’s best players.”
Why This Matters: The Science Behind the Perfect Pitch
A World Cup pitch isn’t just grass—it’s a high-tech ecosystem. FIFA’s technical guidelines for 2026 specify that the playing surface must meet strict criteria: a hardness of 65–85 on the FIFA Turf Scale, a drainage rate that allows water to dissipate within 30 minutes of heavy rain, and a root zone depth of at least 15 centimeters to prevent erosion.
De Smet’s expertise isn’t just theoretical. At KRC Genk, he has maintained some of the most meticulously prepared pitches in Belgian football, including the Luminus Arena, where the club has won multiple league titles. His work has caught the attention of FIFA, which has increasingly relied on European specialists to manage pitches in non-traditional football markets.
Key requirements for AT&T Stadium’s pitch:
- Grass blend: A mix of Poa annua (Kentucky bluegrass) and Lolium perenne (ryegrass) for durability and recovery.
- Drainage: Subsurface drainage system capable of handling 50mm of rainfall per hour.
- Hardness: Adjusted weekly based on temperature and humidity to prevent injuries.
- Mowing height: Maintained at 25–30mm during the tournament to balance speed and ball bounce.
A Belgian Expert in a Golf-Centric Market
Dallas, home to some of the world’s best golf courses, presents a unique challenge. As De Smet noted in interviews, American sports culture has historically prioritized golf and American football over soccer, leading to a lack of specialized knowledge in pitch preparation.
“When we arrived, we had to explain everything from scratch—how to aerate the soil, how to fertilize without burning the grass, how to manage the pitch in extreme heat,” De Smet said. “It was like starting from zero.”
His team, which includes three additional Belgian technicians, has spent the past six months working with local contractors to install underground drainage systems, test soil composition, and train American staff in European standards. The project has required importing specialized equipment, including German-made Klumb aerators and Dutch Verdico turf rollers.
Fun fact: AT&T Stadium’s pitch will be one of the first in the U.S. To use hybrid turf—a combination of natural grass and synthetic fibers—to enhance durability while maintaining the feel of a traditional pitch.
The Human Element: Why Grass Matters in the World Cup
For players, the difference between a well-maintained pitch and one that’s been neglected can be the margin between victory and defeat. Consider these examples from recent World Cups:
- 2018 Russia: The pitch at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow was criticized for being too hard, leading to an unusually high number of injuries.
- 2022 Qatar: The Lusail Stadium’s artificial turf was praised for its consistency, but some players complained about the lack of natural give.
- 2014 Brazil: The Maracanã’s pitch was so fast that defenders struggled to recover, benefiting attacking teams.
De Smet’s goal is to strike the perfect balance—fast enough for attacking football but resilient enough to withstand the wear and tear of 73 matches over 32 days. “In the World Cup, every second counts,” he said. “If the ball bounces differently because the grass isn’t even, it changes the game.”
What’s Next: The Road to 2026
De Smet’s team will begin full-time operations at AT&T Stadium in January 2025, with the first major test coming during the CONCACAF Nations League matches scheduled for June 2025. The pitch will then undergo rigorous FIFA inspections in October 2025 to ensure it meets all technical requirements.
For De Smet, the stakes couldn’t be higher. “This is the biggest project of my career,” he said. “If we do this right, it will set a new standard for World Cup pitches in the United States. If we fail, it could be a disaster for football in this country.”
2026 World Cup Pitch Timeline
- January 2025: Full operations begin at AT&T Stadium.
- June 2025: Test matches during CONCACAF Nations League.
- October 2025: FIFA final inspections.
- November 2025: First World Cup group stage matches.
- June 18, 2026: Final at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey.
Key Takeaways
- Belgian grounds manager Tom De Smet has been hired by FIFA to oversee the pitch at AT&T Stadium in Dallas for the 2026 World Cup.
- The pitch will use a hybrid turf system combining natural grass and synthetic fibers for durability.
- De Smet’s team is training American staff in European pitch standards, including drainage, aeration, and hardness control.
- The project highlights the growing reliance on European expertise in non-traditional football markets like the U.S.
- Pitch conditions can directly impact player performance, with faster surfaces favoring attacking teams and harder pitches increasing injury risks.
Follow the progress: For updates on AT&T Stadium’s pitch preparation, check FIFA’s official World Cup site or CONCACAF’s tournament page.
What do you think? Should FIFA prioritize natural grass or hybrid systems for future World Cups? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
