Foxborough World Cup Matches Hang in Balance Over $8 Million Security Funding Dispute
The fate of seven FIFA World Cup matches scheduled to be played this summer at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots, remains uncertain as town officials in Foxborough, Massachusetts, await clarity on who will cover nearly $8 million in projected security expenses. The local Select Board has taken a firm stance, refusing to approve the necessary licenses for FIFA to occupy the venue without a guarantee that the small community will not be burdened with the substantial bill.
Deadline Looms as Licensing Approval Stalls
With a critical deadline of March 17 set by the town for license approval—allowing time for security plan implementation—the window for resolution is rapidly closing. At a recent meeting on February 17, the Select Board stood firm on this sticking point, and no progress appears to have been made. The board emphasized that it will not saddle Foxborough's approximately 19,000 residents with the financial responsibility, highlighting that the $7.8 million estimate represents almost 10 percent of the town's entire annual budget.
Security Requirements and Funding Challenges
Although only seven matches, including a quarterfinal, are slated for Foxborough, FIFA mandates that security measures be in place to secure Gillette Stadium for all 39 days of the World Cup, which runs from June 11 to July 19. This extensive requirement drives the high cost. While Congress has approved $625 million in funding for security and preparedness across the 11 U.S. host cities, the disbursement has been delayed, partly due to a partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security and its agency, FEMA, which oversees the funds.
Local Leaders Voice Concerns and Demand Accountability
At the February 17 meeting, Select Board Vice-Chair Stephanie McGowan expressed frustration, stating, "The money has to be here. We're a small town. This is almost 10 percent of our whole annual budget. How does anybody expect that we would lay out the money for someone like FIFA, who's coming into our town for 39 days, making all these demands, and then you guys go away? We cannot do that to our taxpayers. We would not be responsible." Board member Mark Elfman echoed these sentiments, baffled by the lack of clarity on funding sources despite FIFA representatives' attendance.
Stadium Ownership and Precedent for Payments
Gillette Stadium is owned by The Kraft Group, founded by Patriots owner Robert Kraft, while the town owns the land beneath it. Typically, The Kraft Group pays required funds upfront for licenses related to Patriots and New England Revolution games, and the board expects World Cup organizers to follow a similar protocol. However, with FIFA yet to provide the necessary assurances, the impasse threatens to derail the highly anticipated matches, casting a shadow over the international event's logistics in the United States.
