The French national soccer team has chosen Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts, as their primary training site during the 2026 World Cup, placing a spotlight on the university’s natural grass field—an increasingly rare feature in an era dominated by artificial turf. The team, currently ranked second globally, plans to practice at Bentley for over five weeks, leading up to the final scheduled for July 19.
Preparing the field to meet the exacting standards of professional soccer posed a considerable challenge for Bentley’s grounds crew, led by head groundskeeper Gaffey alongside specialists Frank Morgan and Axel Acosta. Their effort involved meticulous planning and long hours, often extending to seven days a week, as they worked to transform the university’s field into a surface suitable for elite athletes.
Acosta, who has extensive experience maintaining Fenway Park and a passion for soccer, noted the complexities in managing natural grass at such a high level. Unlike the typical 45-person staff and 24-hour operations seen in major league stadiums, Bentley’s crew had to innovate within tighter parameters. Their preparatory process began months in advance, with a blend of Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass, and fescue seeded to endure the intense use the field would face.
Following an initial seeding, the team employed techniques such as topdressing with sand to protect the grass crowns, aeration to improve root health, and turf blankets to regulate ground temperature, particularly on the field’s most heavily used areas. Security measures were also enhanced to prevent damage from unauthorized activity, including new signage, perimeter rope-offs, and additional campus patrols.
The arrival of France’s squad in mid-June was punctuated by a site visit from Didier Deschamps, the team’s celebrated head coach. During this visit, Deschamps questioned the field’s condition, seemingly testing the crew’s confidence. Gaffey’s honest assessment—that the field was satisfactory for March but would require improvement by June—set the tone for the months of intensive work that followed.
Once temperatures improved in May, the crew mowed the grass to FIFA’s regulations and established the characteristic checkerboard pattern. Despite their efforts, nerves remained regarding whether the field would meet professional expectations. Morgan and Acosta acknowledged the pressure of preparing a pitch fit for a world-class team in a tournament setting, contrasting their usual work with collegiate sports venues.
Since France’s arrival, the grounds crew has maintained a continuous presence, managing watering schedules and field markings tailored to the coaching staff’s requests. The training field now features enhanced privacy measures, including a black net fence and security patrols with sniffer dogs to safeguard the team’s practices.
The quality of the pitch has garnered positive feedback. Following France’s opening World Cup victory over Senegal, members of the team’s support staff praised the Bentley field for its superior condition compared to other venues. One staffer contrasted the hard surface of a New Jersey stadium, recently converted from artificial turf to natural grass, with the lush, flawless quality of Bentley’s field, describing it as “very good” and even “perfect.”
As France continues their World Cup preparations on this meticulously maintained natural grass surface, Bentley University stands out as a unique and crucial venue, demonstrating the challenges and triumphs involved in sustaining the rare green playing fields cherished by professional soccer teams.