Brazilian turfgrass producer eyes the 2014 FIFA World Cup

The 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil will be attracting soccer fans from across the globe come June and July. In December, the BBC reported that the FIFA World Cup would have as many as 12 host stadiums, “stretching from the Amazon basin in the north to the banks of the River Guaiba in the south.”  But it doesn’t end there, TPI member Marcelo Matte of Green Grass sod farms of Brazil has suggested that as many as 30 to 40 soccer fields will also be made available for each of the 32 participating countries to serve as their training pitch.

Matte is more than a fan of soccer; he’s also responsible for the turf at four of the FIFA World Cup stadiums, all of which feature ITGAP certified turfgrass – vegetatively propagated turfgrass varieties that are approved and certified by Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies. He is also assisting with installation at several of the sites.

Matte reports that the FIFA wants to plant all of the soccer fields in sprigs, because only three of the 12 stadiums will be made by Big Rolls.

Among the stadiums that Matte’s farm is providing sprigs are Estádio José Pinheiro Borda in Porto Alegre.  The grass used is certified TifGrand and is expected to grow in within 60 days. Green Grass Brazil also provided the TifGrand grass to two other stadiums, Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba and Arena da Baixada in Curitiba which will also be using Big Rolls. He also reported they provided certified Bermuda TifWay 419 sprigs to Arena Amazonas in Manaus by means of air transportation.

What else is Matte working on in addition to the FIFA World Cup? Plenty. Green Grass Brazil was also selected as the sod producer to grow Zeon Zoysia grass to be planted on the brand new golf course currently under construction for use at the Olympic Games to be held in 2016 in Rio de Janiero.