Foxborough Seeks…

Officials in Foxborough, Massachusetts, are looking for clarity regarding approximately $8 million needed to ensure public safety for this summer’s World Cup matches at Gillette Stadium, home to the New England Patriots.

The town’s manager, Paige Duncan, expressed to ESPN the commitment to hosting the international soccer tournament but emphasized the need for funding clarity by mid-March to issue FIFA the necessary license for the event.

“If we don’t resolve this matter satisfactorily, the Town won’t be able to approve your application or finalize licensing, putting the proposed seven matches in jeopardy,” Duncan noted in a letter to the organizers reviewed by ESPN, sent in early January.

Julie Duffy, the chief marketing and communications officer for FIFA World Cup Boston 2026, stated to ESPN: “We are collaborating closely with FIFA, the stadium, and Foxborough to reach an agreement.”

FIFA referred ESPN to Duffy and opted not to comment further.

The federal government has allocated $625 million for the 11 U.S. host cities to “enhance security and preparedness,” but the specific amount Foxborough will receive is not yet clear. Town officials have indicated that they cannot advance taxpayer funds and wait for reimbursement.

Duncan emphasized in the January letter that while grant funding or reimbursement might eventually be available, the Town can’t depend on uncertain funding when planning personnel and deployment.

“It simply doesn’t work that way,” Duncan told ESPN, highlighting that Foxborough is a small community where residents vote on budget items in semiannual town meetings.

According to Duncan, the $8 million is required for the Foxborough police to manage law enforcement for events around Gillette Stadium, which is owned by The Kraft Group, led by Patriots owner Robert Kraft. However, the town owns the land where the stadium sits and provides the Krafts a similar license for NFL games as FIFA seeks now.

FIFA representatives are expected to attend a town hall meeting in Foxborough on February 17, and the town has set a March 17 deadline to confer the required license; funding issues must be resolved by then.

“If funding isn’t secured, there won’t be a World Cup in Foxborough,” Duncan warned.

“My primary aim is for this situation to resolve so that Foxborough can host the World Cup as planned,” she added. “We are dedicated to collaboration, thorough planning, and public safety, but the high costs of hosting the World Cup cannot be imposed on local taxpayers.”

Gillette Stadium is set to kick off its World Cup events on June 13, featuring a match between Scotland and Haiti, as well as two knockout matches, including a quarterfinal on July 9.