Sorochan’s view, as quoted in the update, is that the surfaces “pareceram impecáveis do início ao fim do torneio.” If that assessment holds, it is no small achievement.
That matters because modern tournament football leaves little room for error. Players want speed, grip and predictability; organisers want durability. Getting all three at once is the hard part.
One of the more intriguing details in the report is the use of grass grown over plastic, a solution said to reduce root stress before installation. That points to the real story here: elite pitch management is now as much about engineering as groundskeeping.
Covered stadiums appear to have been the biggest challenge.
This is where future tournaments may be shaped - not just by climate, but by how quickly stadium science adapts to it.
Sorochan was clear about the ambition. “Esperamos ter algo a ver com as Copas de 2030 e 2034 também. Esse é o nosso objetivo,” he said in the report. That feels plausible. If 2026 has become a proof of concept, the next step is influence: helping future hosts build fields that survive heat, roofs, travel schedules and scrutiny from the world’s best players.
The next storyline to watch is whether that 2026 groundwork turns into a formal role for 2030, especially as host nations begin refining their stadium plans.