By Nick Creely

Five of the most talented and distinguished Australian and New Zealand sports turf management professionals will gain further experience on the international stage when they volunteer at the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.

Matt Fisher from LaboSport in Queensland will head to Orlando, Dave Sandurski (pictured bottom middle) from the GABBA to Philadelphia, Justin Lang (pictured bottom left) to Los Angeles, Kiwi Blair Christiansen (pictured bottom right) from Eden Park to New York while Erik Kinlon from HG Turf will oversee a few turf installations at atleast four different venues. 

Lang in particular is well-regarded in Australian soccer and is the current turf manager at Western United in the A-League. He spent 14 years at AAMI Park as the sports field coordinator and as pitch manager for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup and is highly experienced overseas.

They will work closely with renowned FIFA pitch manager and fellow Aussie David Graham who is overseeing operations. Graham spent 20 years as sports field turf curator at Melbourne and Olympic Parks and four years at the MCG as turf tradesperson before moving overseas to work at the FIFA 2022 World Cup and now the 2025 world cup.

It is expected to be one of the most hotly-contested tournaments in the world, with the top club soccer sides to descend on the US over 29 days from June 15 until the final on July 13, with 32 teams entered to compete. MetLife Stadium in New Jersey is scheduled to host the final.

A total of 12 venues across major US cities Atlanta, Cincinnati, Charlotte, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York New Jersey, Orlando, Philadelphia, Seattle and Washington will host matches.

Europe has 12 clubs in the tournament, including Premier League juggernauts Chelsea and Manchester City. Real Madrid is also locked in to play the tournament and will enter as slight favourites to clinch the trophy. Eight groups of four play each other in the group stages with the top two advancing to knockouts. The last 16 stage then moves to the quarter-final, semi-final and then final.

Full list of teams competing: 
Group A: Palmeiras (Brz), Porto (Por), Al Ahly (Egy), Inter Miami (USA)
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain (Fra), Atletico Madrid (Esp), Botafogo (Brz), Seattle Sounders (USA)
Group C: Bayern Munich (Ger), Benfica (Por), Boca Juniors (Arg), Auckland City (Nzl)
Group D: Flamengo (Brz), Chelsea (Eng), Esperance Sportive de Tunis (Tun), fourth club TBC
Group E: River Plate (Arg), Inter Milan (Ita), CF Monterrey (Mex), Urawa Red Diamonds (Jpn)
Group F: Fluminense (Brz), Borussia Dortmund (Ger), Ulsan HD (Kor), Mamelodi Sundowns (Rsa)
Group G: Manchester City (Eng), Juventus (Ita), Wydad AC (Mor), Al Ain (UAE)
Group H: Real Madrid (Esp), FC Salzburg (Aut), Al Hilal (Rsa), CF Pachuca (Mex)