Choosing the perfect grass for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar has been a daunting task. Despite the country’s wealth, the climate is not suitable for growing turf suitable for a major football tournament. However, the country has invested years in preparing the best grass possible.
The World Cup will be played on Platinum TE ™ Paspalum, a seashore paspalum supplied by Atlas Turf International. The grass has been tested at several sites and consistently graded among the highest strains for wear tolerance, shade tolerance, and recovery. It was also selected by the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy as the playing surface for the 2022 World Cup.
Platinum TE Paspalum is an elite turfgrass that will be used at all 81 training sites, as well as in the stadiums. It is also the playing surface for the World Cup in November 2022. It will be used in all eight stadiums. The Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy has said it will be used for all the tournament’s games.
Aspire Sports Turf, a company that specialises in grass seed, has been researching the best grass for the Qatari climate. After extensive testing, Aspire Sports Turf has concluded that Platinum TE ™ Paspalum is the best grass for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The company has tested several different strains, including Bermudagrass, seashore paspalum, Zoysia, and other grasses. The company is also working with the Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI), a UK-based company.
The Aspire Turf company has a strong foothold in the Middle East. It supplies grass seed to golf courses throughout the world. However, it did not earn an exclusive contract to supply grass for the Qatar 2022 World Cup. However, the company does have a hot spot in Southeast Asia.
The United States, Canada, and Mexico will host the 2026 World Cup. These countries are all different climates. However, it is still uncertain whether Turftech, a leading company that supplies turf for golf courses and soccer fields around the world, will be able to provide the same quality of grass as Qatar. Nevertheless, Turftech is in talks with FIFA about the World Cup in 2026.
The company has also provided turf to the Qatar World Cup. It supplied the Platinum TE ™ Paspalum stolons that were planted in stadium nurseries. The stolons matured into stadiums, and are being used in all 81 training sites. The PureSportTM Perennial Ryegrass varieties are designed to provide rapid germination and superior heat tolerance. Several varieties of PureSport have also shown superior drought resistance.
It is estimated that the Qatar World Cup will cost PS7 billion. This will include infrastructure such as air conditioning in all stadiums. Air conditioning raises questions about the environmental impact of the tournament. However, Qatar is still investing billions of dollars to prepare for the event. It is estimated that the tournament will absorb more than a million football fans during the monthlong event.
Despite the challenges, Qatar’s World Cup grass is expected to provide the best playing surface in the history of the tournament. However, the weather is expected to be hotter than usual, which will make the pitches more difficult to grow.
