FIFA venue in funding dispute ahead of 2026 tournament

March 2, 2026 Oliver Obel

With just over a year before the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in North America, one of Massachusetts’ host communities is facing a high-stakes financial standoff that could affect its role in the tournament.

Local officials in Foxborough a town of roughly 18,000 residents about 30 miles southwest of Boston say they cannot shoulder an estimated $7.8 million in public safety costs tied to seven World Cup matches scheduled for next summer.

The matches are set to be played at Gillette Stadium, which will operate under the temporary name “Boston Stadium” during the tournament in accordance with FIFA’s commercial policies.

A License Still Pending

According to reporting by The Athletic, town leaders calculate that policing, emergency response, and other public safety measures required during the tournament would cost approximately $7.8 million.

Members of the Foxborough Select Board have declined to grant the necessary operating license without firm guarantees about how those expenses will be covered. Board member Bill Yukna has said publicly that funding international sporting events is not the responsibility of local taxpayers.

Town officials have set a March 17 deadline to reach an agreement. Without a resolution, the licensing process could stall raising questions about how FIFA and event organizers would respond if a host municipality withheld approval.

Stadium Ready, But Funding Unclear

The stadium itself is not in question. Opened in 2002, the 65,000-seat venue regularly hosts NFL games for the New England Patriots and MLS matches for the New England Revolution, along with major concerts and other large-scale events.

The issue instead centers on who pays for the added security demands of a month-long global tournament expected to draw international visitors and heightened safety requirements.

Large-scale sporting events often involve complex cost-sharing arrangements between municipalities, stadium operators, and organizing committees. It remains unclear whether FIFA or private stakeholders would step in if Foxborough maintains its position.

Residents Back Town Officials

Some residents have voiced support for the Select Board’s stance. Terri Lawton, who owns a farm near the stadium, told The Sun she believes town leaders are right to demand financial protections.

“I think the select board is doing a great job trying to protect residents,” she said. “We’re a very small town. We don’t have $8 million to front and even if we did, we shouldn’t. As far as I know, there aren’t any assets backing it.”

Lawton suggested that New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft whose net worth is estimated at around $13 billion could help bridge the funding gap.

“The reality is the Kraft family will earn more this year than most people in town will make in their lifetimes,” she said. “If they want this to happen, the Kraft Group can simply write a check. They probably spend more than that in a month on payroll alone.”

She added: “If they want the World Cup here, they’ll gain more financially than anyone else. As a business owner, I remove obstacles to make deals happen. I don’t understand the hesitation.

“Spreading the $8million across 18,000 residents would have serious effects. We wouldn’t be able to pay teachers, police, or firefighters. This isn’t emotional it’s business. We have to fund essential services."

What’s at Stake

Foxborough is scheduled to host five group-stage matches, a Round of 32 fixture, and a July 9 quarterfinal. Among the group-stage games is England’s match against Ghana on June 23, along with fixtures involving Scotland, Norway and France.

The 2026 tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico is expected to be the largest World Cup in history, expanding to 48 teams. Host cities have promoted the event as a major economic opportunity, though debates over public spending tied to global sporting events are not uncommon.

Whether Foxborough ultimately moves forward as planned may depend on negotiations in the coming weeks. For now, the town’s leaders appear firm: without financial guarantees, there will be no license.

Sources: The Athletic, The Sun