Foxboro Stands Firm on World Cup Security Funding

Town refuses to cover $8 million in costs for 39-day event amid war concerns

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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With just 100 days until the World Cup kicks off in North America, the town of Foxboro, Massachusetts is refusing to front the $8 million needed to cover security costs for the seven matches scheduled to be played at Gillette Stadium. Foxboro's Select Board says they won't grant FIFA the required entertainment license unless the funding is secured within the next two weeks, raising concerns about the event's viability in the town.

Why it matters

The World Cup is one of the largest sporting events in the world, and Foxboro's refusal to cover security costs could jeopardize the town's ability to host the matches. With new concerns over the war in the Middle East, security needs may be even more involved, adding to the financial burden on the town.

The details

Foxboro's Select Board has been in tense negotiations with local soccer leaders for over a year, but they still don't have the money needed to pay for police, fire, and equipment over the 39-day event. FIFA needs an entertainment license from the town to use Gillette Stadium, and the Select Board said they won't grant it unless the funds are secured in the next two weeks. Boston 2026, the local FIFA partner, has offered to cover the costs if federal funding falls through, but the Select Board says 'game-time decisions' impacting hundreds of thousands of people are unacceptable.

  • There are now just 100 days until the World Cup kicks off in North America.
  • The next Select Board meeting is in exactly two weeks, on March 17.

The players

Foxboro Select Board

The governing body of the town of Foxboro, Massachusetts that is responsible for deciding whether to grant FIFA the entertainment license needed to host World Cup matches at Gillette Stadium.

Boston 2026

The local partner organization for FIFA that is working to host World Cup matches in the Boston area, including the seven games scheduled for Gillette Stadium in Foxboro.

Kraft Sports Group

The owner of Gillette Stadium and the New England Patriots, who is working with Boston 2026 to cover security costs if federal funding falls through.

Michael Grace

Foxboro Police Chief who has stated that the town's strategy of waiting until June 1st to have security equipment in place is 'a failed strategy' with the World Cup just 100 days away.

Bill Yukna

Chair of the Foxboro Select Board who says the town does not want departments spending any more time on the World Cup until a true compensation plan is presented.

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What they’re saying

“All of the equipment the chiefs have said they need will be there and available by June 1.”

— Gary Ronan, Attorney (cbsnews.com)

“Waiting until June 1 is unacceptable. We are 99 or 100 days away from hosting the largest sporting event in the world. That strategy is a failed strategy.”

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

“If you don't get paid you can terminate the license. The next soccer game doesn't happen until you get paid, if that's what you decide to do.”

— Gary Ronan, Attorney (cbsnews.com)

“Our chiefs are monitoring that on a daily basis, and everything is evolving. We know that. That's kind of some of the stuff that we've put into the license agreement that if things do evolve, we're able to make adjustments that we need to make.”

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

What’s next

The next Select Board meeting is in exactly two weeks, on March 17. The Select Board Chair says the town does not want departments spending any more time on the World Cup until a true compensation plan is presented.

The takeaway

Foxboro's refusal to cover the $8 million in security costs for the World Cup matches at Gillette Stadium highlights the financial challenges towns can face when hosting major sporting events, especially with evolving security concerns. The town's hardline stance could jeopardize the World Cup's viability in Foxboro if a funding solution is not reached in the next two weeks.