Foxboro Threatens to Cancel FIFA World Cup Matches at Gillette Stadium

Town says it needs security funding to host games, warns it will withhold essential entertainment license

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The town of Foxboro, Massachusetts is doubling down on its threat to cancel the FIFA World Cup matches scheduled to be held at Gillette Stadium if it does not receive the necessary funding for security and safety measures. The town says major equipment still needs to be ordered, and its fiscal calendar ends in the middle of the games, leaving it unable to cover the costs.

Why it matters

Foxboro hosting the World Cup matches at Gillette Stadium would bring significant economic and publicity benefits to the region, but the town is concerned about the financial burden of providing security and safety for the 39-day event. The town's stance highlights the challenges smaller municipalities can face in hosting major international sporting events.

The details

Foxboro is set to host seven World Cup matches at Gillette Stadium, including a quarter-final match, starting on June 13 and running through July. The town says it needs several million dollars in reimbursement funding to cover the costs of security equipment and personnel. Without this funding, the town has threatened to withhold the essential entertainment license required to host the games.

  • The World Cup matches at Gillette Stadium are scheduled to run from June 13 to July.
  • Foxboro's fiscal calendar ends in the middle of the World Cup games.
  • March 17 is the deadline for Foxboro to issue the entertainment license required to host the games.

The players

Bill Yukna

Member of the Foxboro Town Select Board.

Stephanie McGowan

Member of the Foxboro Town Select Board.

Mark Elfman

Member of the Foxboro Town Select Board.

Mike Loynd

Chair of the Boston Host Committee for the World Cup games.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's the equivalent of seven Super Bowls here and thirty-nine days of coverage. It's not small and not to be lost. We have to secure that facility for 39 days straight.”

— Bill Yukna, Member of the Foxboro Town Select Board (CBS News Boston)

“The money has to be here. Everyone thinks we have a football stadium in this town! But with that being said we're a small town. We have 18,000 people.”

— Stephanie McGowan, Member of the Foxboro Town Select Board (CBS News Boston)

“It comes down to sounding like Foxboro is being the bad guys here, but we really aren't. All we're trying to do is protect our citizens.”

— Bill Yukna, Member of the Foxboro Town Select Board (CBS News Boston)

“The White House task force is working on a daily basis to work with DHS and FEMA on that. I don't think I can say anything more about that. We're being told it's expected any day now.”

— Mike Loynd, Chair of the Boston Host Committee (CBS News Boston)

What’s next

The Foxboro Town Select Board has set a March 17 deadline to receive the necessary security funding from the Boston Host Committee and federal agencies. If the funding is not secured by that date, the town has threatened to withhold the essential entertainment license required to host the World Cup matches at Gillette Stadium.

The takeaway

This standoff between Foxboro and the World Cup organizers highlights the financial challenges that smaller municipalities can face when hosting major international sporting events. The town is caught between the prestige of hosting World Cup matches and the burden of providing adequate security and safety measures without the necessary funding support.