The FIFA World Cup is the world’s biggest sporting event and takes place every four years. This year, the tournament is scheduled June 11–July 19 across 16 different stadiums throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. While millions of people across the globe are hyper focused on the excitement and thrill of the tournament matchups, it’s also important to understand the history and cultural impact of the World Cup.
Researchers from Michigan State University have been busy developing the live turfgrass that will be used at each of the tournament’s 16 stadiums. But with turfgrass installation plans in motion and less than a month before the games begin, there’s another researcher at MSU who has World Cup expertise to share — and he’s been at it for decades.
Peter Alegi is a professor in the Department of History at MSU’s College of Social Science. Alegi is a historian who studies how soccer connects with politics and society and has written several books on the multifaceted role of soccer in African history.