Boston World Cup Games Threatened by Security Funding Dispute
A small Massachusetts town is putting seven Boston-area World Cup games in jeopardy this summer, demanding that someone else cover millions of dollars in security expenses that local officials say they cannot afford.
Foxborough's Financial Burden
Though promoted as Boston events, the matches will actually take place at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, located approximately 20 miles southwest of downtown Boston and home to the NFL's New England Patriots. Foxborough officials state their budget cannot accommodate the projected $7.8 million required for police and related public safety measures during the tournament.
"It's not the town's responsibility," declared Foxborough Select Board Chair Bill Yukna in an interview, emphasizing the community's limited resources.
Stadium Location Creates Financial Strain
Foxborough, with only 18,000 residents, faces a security bill equivalent to roughly seven percent of its annual budget. This amount surpasses half of what the town typically spends on public safety in an entire year. Neither FIFA, Boston's World Cup host committee, nor billionaire Robert Kraft's Kraft Group—which owns Gillette Stadium—has committed to covering these substantial costs.
Without an agreement to finance security expenses, Foxborough threatens to deny FIFA the necessary entertainment license to hold the games. These include opening round matches for England and France, along with a quarterfinal knockout game.
Deadline Pressure and Infrastructure Concerns
The town has established a March 17 deadline to resolve funding issues. Beyond this date, officials warn it would become impractical to purchase and install all required security infrastructure before the World Cup begins in June. Local authorities have spent months preparing for the event while awaiting a solution to the financial standoff.
Foxborough's predicament reflects broader tensions between municipalities and their hosting responsibilities for major international events. This conflict recently manifested in Jersey City, where a planned fan festival at Liberty State Park was canceled this month despite tickets already being sold.
Political and Economic Context
The World Cup stands as the planet's most viewed sporting event, drawing millions of fans worldwide to North America for this year's tournament. While estimates suggest the games could generate over $1 billion in regional economic activity, Foxborough anticipates receiving only a fraction of that benefit.
Massachusetts has applied for $46 million in federal funding to support World Cup security measures. These funds would be distributed across various needs, including a Boston fan festival, anti-terrorism protections, and—potentially—Foxborough's public safety costs. However, this grant remains unsecured and may prove insufficient, according to Yukna.
Former President Donald Trump added political dimension to the situation in October, criticizing Boston Democratic Mayor Michelle Wu and suggesting he might seek to relocate World Cup games from Boston if he deemed the city unprepared or unsafe. Wu has previously expressed enthusiasm about hosting the matches.
The standoff highlights the complex financial negotiations behind global sporting spectacles, where local communities often bear significant burdens without guaranteed compensation.
