Pitch Perfect: Preparing a Field for World Cup Training

Natural grass on a sand-based root zone. Mowed to 9/10 inch. Precisely irrigated and drained. A FIFA-standard pitch, or field, is crucial to player performance and gametime consistency. 

Ryan Gaffey, director of facilities services at Bentley, is driven by soil and field precision, the perfect grass seed mixture and a meticulous mow line. So he was understandably anxious and excited when he discovered that, beginning in June, the French national football team — l’Équipe de France de Football — will train on campus for this summer’s FIFA World Cup 2026™ tournament.  

Gaffey, who manages all campus landscaping and athletic fields (and buildings), explains how he is helping to prepare Bentley to host one of the world’s best soccer teams, and why he enjoys being in the weeds of turf management. 

What was your reaction when you heard in March that Bentley would be hosting the French national team trainings? 

My first reaction was, “This is impossible in a three-month window.” In a perfect scenario, I would have started the maintenance and growing process last fall. But I was also excited and kicked into “full speed ahead” mode.  

I am fortunate that my team, including Field Specialists Axel Acosta and Frank Morgan, have the backing of the university to maintain fields at a Division I or above level, even though we’re Division II in soccer and baseball. So while the soccer field was a little beat-up last fall because our men’s soccer team made it to the playoffs, the grass still looked pretty good in March. When the French national team managers visited, they were impressed. And even now, we’re already light-years ahead of where it was then. 

The Bentley field is fully natural grass — a FIFA requirement. What kind of maintenance does it require, especially coming off such a harsh winter? 

Our sand-based field has a 70-20-10 soil profile (sand, loam, compost). Twice per year we do soil testing to determine our nutrient program, which includes testing for drainage.  Our testing proved to be up to FIFA standards — with the exception of a small area of the field that was holding water, which we have addressed.

In March, we overseeded the field with a mix of Midnight Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass and fescue grass, and top-dressed it with sand to help it germinate. The mix helps create a drought-resistant, wear-resistant and heat-resistant grass field. Ryegrass is good for germination; then the bluegrass takes over. The fescue grass is good for wear and tear.  

Right now, we’re in growing mode, and the New England weather has been our enemy. We’ve had several 32-degree nights with frost, so we cover thin spots with turf blankets overnight to keep the temperature up for growing. Axel and Frank are out there by 6 a.m. to remove the blankets for the day and make sure the irrigation ran and drained correctly. Once the French national team starts training, we will be out there filling divots, checking soil temperatures and overall field conditions. It’s a 24/7 process.

What are some official FIFA field standards?

A big one is the height of the grass cut, which is just under an inch. Then there’s the way we cut the field in a specific pattern and paint the field lines. We’re also taking steps to speed up the ball roll a little bit, even though we’re pretty darn close to FIFA guidelines. For that, we have big rollers that will help smooth everything out, and a high-density sand topdressing that helps protect the crown of the plant and makes the grass stand a little straighter.   

Going back a bit, what initially sparked your interest in a turf management career? 

I grew up playing golf and working at a small golf course in western Massachusetts, and that eventually led me to study turf management. Before coming to Bentley 14 years ago, I spent time in the golf industry — including as a superintendent at Hopkinton Country Club — and worked on PGA tournaments. 

Now I’m learning a lot about soccer, and it’s exciting to challenge myself as we prepare for the French team. It can be stressful, but for me it’s more of a calming stress to figure out how we can be successful. To be honest, it’s a lot easier having such a strong team to support me. Frank came from the golf industry, and Axel has experience working on the grounds of Fenway Park. They know what they’re doing. 

What’s one thing about the job that you would want people to know? 

It’s a lot of work. Beyond the grass — to the buildings and locker rooms, electrical needs, fencing and more — the dedication of the Facilities team and other departments across campus is what’s making it all possible.