The report says the World Cup relied on hybrid pitches, blending natural grass with stitched synthetic fibres to create a more stable, uniform surface. That mattered even more in a tournament spread across different climates, altitudes and stadium types.
Sorochan’s comments point to the real challenge:
If the pitches passed without becoming the story, that is a strong outcome in itself.
Sorochan reportedly spent much of the event working remotely, effectively tracking conditions from a command centre while staying in contact with grounds teams. The most delicate work appears to have come in domed venues, where grow lights, watering patterns and surface behaviour had to mimic outdoor conditions as closely as possible.
He also highlighted the day-to-day work behind the scenes. Grounds crews were reportedly adjusting mowing, moisture and fertiliser levels well before kick-off. Sorochan added that in some venues, “the pitch got better as the tournament went on.”
Not every complaint can be solved by the grass alone. “It’s not the grass’ fault,” Sorochan said. “It’s the environment.” That feels like the biggest takeaway: surface performance is tied to heat, humidity, wind and communication with players and coaches as much as installation quality.
With reports suggesting wants to keep working with Tennessee ahead of 2030 and 2034, this may be less a finished project than the start of a longer partnership. The next story to watch is whether those lessons - especially around indoor venues, grow lights and water reuse - become the blueprint for the next generation of tournament pitches.