FIFA - International Federation of Association Football

more...

FIFA, International Federation of Association Football

The use of synthetic turf sports fields - for example, for hosting international matches - is contingent upon certification under the FIFA Quality Program for Synthetic Turf. Only artificial turf fields that pass the rigorous tests of the FIFA Quality Program - both in the laboratory and on the field - are awarded FIFA certification. This certification guarantees that the artificial turf systems meet soccer’s requirements in terms of playing characteristics, safety, durability, and quality assurance. Currently, tests can be conducted in accordance with both the 2015 FIFA Handbook and the 2024 FIFA Handbook.

While fields that meet these standards in amateur and recreational soccer receive “FIFA QUALITY” certification, those that also guarantee the necessary playing characteristics for professional soccer receive “FIFA QUALITY PRO” certification.

The benchmark for the tested products is a natural grass field in good condition. Only synthetic turf that meets the criteria specified in the requirements manual receives FIFA certification.

The rigorous, two-stage testing process - consisting of laboratory testing of the product and final acceptance of the installation - ensures that the artificial turf field in question meets the requirements for playing characteristics, safety, quality, and durability. 

Laboratory Tests

For a synthetic turf system to be included on the list of sports products, it must comply with the technical regulations for the respective sport. To this end, the entire system is tested for its performance and safety-related properties. For soccer, these include, for example:

  • Force absorption (protective function: shock absorption)
  • Energy return
  • Vertical deformation
  • Ball bounce behavior
  • Ball roll behavior
  • Rotational resistance (measurement of stress on joints and ligaments)
  • Skin friction (coefficient of friction) 

In
addition, FIFA’s specifications include testing of the following components:

  • Synthetic turf
    • Total weight, fiber weight, fiber pull-out strength, fiber height, determination of fiber material, strength of the adhesive bond, etc.
  • Synthetic turf markings
    • Identification of fiber material
  • Stabilizing infill
    • Particle size distribution, particle shape, bulk density
  • Sports-grade infill
    • Determination of material, particle size distribution, wear resistance, bulk density
  • Elasticizing Layer
    • Force dissipation under various conditions, (tensile) strength of the elasticizing layer, resistance to compressive loading, resistance to repeated impact loading, dimensional stability, mass, bulk density

Field Certification

The completed playing field is then inspected in accordance with FIFA’s sport-specific guidelines. 

  • Force Absorption (Shock Absorption Protection)
  • Energy return
  • Vertical deformation
  • Ball bounce behavior
  • Ball-rolling behavior
  • Torsional resistance (measurement of stress on joints and ligaments)
  • Flatness
  • Verification of installed components, such as turf and infill, against the laboratory test report

The system inspection required for inclusion on the list of sports products is a mandatory prerequisite for the certification of a playing field and serves to ensure that only synthetic turf systems suitable for the respective sport are installed. The installation is verified through field certification.