Foxboro Faces Funding Dispute with FIFA Over World Cup Security Costs

The town's select board is still questioning who will cover the $7.7 million in public safety costs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches at Gillette Stadium.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The 2026 FIFA World Cup is just 100 days away, but the town of Foxboro, Massachusetts is still at odds with FIFA over who will be responsible for covering the $7.7 million in public safety costs for the seven matches scheduled to take place at Gillette Stadium. The Boston Host Committee for the FIFA World Cup 2026 (Boston 26) has applied for federal funding through FEMA, but the status of that request remains unclear. Foxboro's select board is hesitant to approve an entertainment license for the matches until the funding issue is resolved, and they are also concerned that the town's police department does not have the necessary equipment to prepare for the event.

Why it matters

The dispute over security funding threatens to disrupt Foxboro's hosting of the 2026 World Cup matches, which could have significant economic and reputational impacts for the town and the broader Boston region. The town's select board is taking a firm stance, wanting to ensure that the public safety costs are covered before approving the event.

The details

The Boston Host Committee for the FIFA World Cup 2026 (Boston 26) is a nonprofit organization handling the planning for the World Cup matches and other activities in Massachusetts. As part of the hosting agreement, the town of Foxboro must issue entertainment licenses to allow the matches to take place at Gillette Stadium. However, the town's select board is still questioning who will be responsible for the $7.7 million in public safety costs. Boston 26 has applied for federal funding through FEMA, but the status of that request remains unclear. FIFA has not publicly commented on the matter, but an official noted that the responsibility of covering security costs lies with the host committees. Boston 26's attorney has told the select board that the nonprofit is committed to backstopping the funding with assistance from the Kraft Sports Group if the FEMA money is not available in time. Despite this, the select board remains unsure of the funding source and is also concerned that the town's police department does not have the necessary equipment to prepare for the matches.

  • The 2026 FIFA World Cup is officially 100 days away.
  • The Foxboro Select Board plans to vote on whether to approve the entertainment license on March 17, which is the deadline set by Town Manager Paige Duncan.

The players

Boston Host Committee for the FIFA World Cup 2026 (Boston 26)

A nonprofit organization handling the planning for the World Cup matches and other activities in Massachusetts.

Foxboro Select Board

The governing body of the town of Foxboro, Massachusetts, responsible for deciding whether to issue an entertainment license for the World Cup matches.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

The federal agency that the Boston Host Committee has applied to for funding to cover the $7.7 million in public safety costs for the World Cup matches.

Kraft Sports Group

The organization that the Boston Host Committee has said will assist in backstopping the funding if the FEMA money is not available.

Michael Grace

The Foxboro Police Chief who has stated that the town's police department does not have the necessary equipment to prepare for the World Cup matches.

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What they’re saying

“You just have to give this issue some time.”

— Peter Tamm, Attorney representing Boston 26 (WPRI.com)

“With all due respect, this has been going on for months.”

— Mark Elfman, Foxboro Select Board member (WPRI.com)

“They're giving us some potential concepts, but we've seen nothing in writing. We've seen nothing that supports our requests [for information].”

— Bill Yukna, Foxboro Select Board Chair (WPRI.com)

“We're 99 days away and solution is very simple — fund what we need funded and this issue is over.”

— Michael Grace, Foxboro Police Chief (WPRI.com)

“We are now very confident that we can meet the financial requirements of this event.”

— Mike Loynd, President of Boston 2026 (WPRI.com)

What’s next

The Foxboro Select Board plans to vote on whether to approve the entertainment license for the World Cup matches on March 17, which is the deadline set by Town Manager Paige Duncan.

The takeaway

The dispute over security funding for the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches in Foxboro highlights the complex negotiations and logistical challenges involved in hosting a major international sporting event. The town's select board is taking a firm stance, wanting to ensure that the public safety costs are covered before approving the event, which could have significant economic and reputational impacts for the town and the broader Boston region if an agreement is not reached.