Seven World Cup matches are scheduled to take place here – but the event is still in jeopardy.Image: www.imago-images.de
Seven World Cup matches are slated for the NFL stadium south of Boston, but the town of Foxborough is digging in its heels over $7.8 million in promised security funding that has yet to materialize.
March 5, 2026, 4:12 PMMarch 5, 2026, 5:26 PM
The town of Foxborough, home of the New England Patriots, is threatening to withhold its approval for the seven planned World Cup matches due to a dispute over $7.8 million (approximately $6.1 million Swiss francs) in security costs that remain unpaid. The town, with a population of 18,000 located roughly 30 miles south of Boston, is unwilling to shoulder the expense itself, which represents around ten percent of its annual budget.
The U.S. Government has allocated a total of $625 million for security and preparations for the eleven host cities across the United States for the summer’s World Cup. A portion of that funding was intended for Foxborough, but disbursement has been stalled due to a shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security. This department oversees the agency responsible for releasing the funds.
The roots of the problem at the World Cup venue lie with Donald Trump.Image: keystone
The partial government shutdown stems from the fatal shootings of Renée Excellent and Alex Pretti by ICE agents in January. Democrats are demanding reforms to Donald Trump’s immigration agency and have therefore refused to approve the Department of Homeland Security’s budget, which is headed by hardliner Kristi Noem. Until a resolution is reached, Foxborough is likely to remain without the promised funds.
Problem Seemed Resolved
However, a meeting this week between the town council and representatives from the Boston Host City Committee appeared to offer a solution. Boston Soccer 2026, the organization assisting FIFA with World Cup planning, reportedly pledged to “cover all costs associated with event security.” the company owned by Patriots owner Robert Kraft promised to cover any potential shortfalls.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft (center) is offering a loss guarantee.Image: keystone
The town isn’t rushing to accept the funds, however, fearing that the non-profit Boston Soccer 2026 will dissolve after the World Cup, making it impossible to recover the money. A lawyer for the host committee offered to pay any invoices within 48 hours, and to include that provision in the license agreement. “If you don’t gain paid, you can take the license back, then the next game won’t happen.” But a problem remains.
Waiting Until June? “Unacceptable”
Foxborough has been awaiting security equipment and provisions necessary to secure the stadium and surrounding area for some time. The host committee pledged to deliver these by June 1.
“That’s unacceptable,” said the chairman of the relevant committee in Foxborough. Some of the materials should have been delivered already, with the majority requested by the police chief no later than March 17. Waiting until twelve days before the first match at the Boston World Cup venue was deemed reckless – especially given events in the Middle East and elsewhere, as the town administrator noted.
The host committee’s lawyers considered this an overreach of the committee’s authority, a sentiment that was not well-received. Another town representative expressed concern that the committee was attempting to negotiate down the town and police’s demands, a claim denied by Boston Soccer 2026’s attorneys.
Police Chief Pleads: “Don’t Do This to Us”
Foxborough’s police chief concluded: “We are 99 days away from hosting the biggest sporting event in the world and we appear unable to secure the necessary funding for the required security equipment that has been known for over a year and a half of planning.” He reiterated, “Waiting until June 1 is unacceptable. Don’t do this to us.”
The committee will next meet in just two weeks, on March 17, to vote on whether to grant FIFA the license to host the World Cup matches in Foxborough. Until then, the issues must be resolved, or a major setback looms. One member stated, “The committee does not want to deny the license under any circumstances. But we will if we have to.”
