‘It’s not acceptable’: Will a small town be left $7.8m on the hook for the World Cup? The Select Board of Foxborough, Massachusetts, convened Tuesday evening to address a growing financial dilemma tied to the 2026 World Cup. The town, home to Gillette Stadium and the NFL’s New England Patriots, faces a potential shortfall of $7.8 million in security expenses for the tournament. The funds, promised by the federal government and the Boston World Cup planning committee, have yet to arrive, raising concerns that Foxborough could be left to cover the cost. The board, which typically handles local matters like zoning and liquor licenses, now finds itself entangled in a global issue. The stadium, set to host seven World Cup matches, including England’s group game against Ghana and a quarter-final, requires significant security measures. However, the federal portion of the funding—part of a FEMA grant—has been delayed due to the ongoing partial government shutdown. Meanwhile, the Boston host committee, responsible for organizing the event, has not provided a clear solution. Residents of Foxborough, a town of about 18,000 people, are worried the shortfall could amount to over $1,000 per household, or roughly 10% of the town’s annual budget. The Kraft family, owners of the Patriots and New England Revolution, typically cover security costs for events at the stadium, but their longstanding agreement does not extend to World Cup games. This leaves the town vulnerable to bearing the financial burden if the federal funds fail to materialize. During the meeting, representatives from the Boston host committee, including CEO Mike Loynd and attorneys, assured the board that the host committee has a “substantial amount” of funding set aside for planning.#new_england_patriots #world_cup_2026 #fema #foxborough_massachusetts #boston_world_cup_committee
