The town of Foxborough near Boston is standing its ground in its dispute with FIFA and World Cup organizers, insisting on upfront payment for security costs ahead of a March 17 licensing vote for seven World Cup matches at Gillette Stadium.
The standoff pits the small New England town against FIFA, its host-committee affiliate Boston Soccer 2026, and The Kraft Group, the stadium’s owner headed by Patriots owner Robert Kraft. During a March 3 select board meeting, the host committee offered for the first time to cover all costs within two business days of invoicing, with The Kraft Group pledging to fund any shortfall. Board members, however, immediately pushed back, raising concerns over the purchase of security materials and a deadline for those materials to be in place.
Any suggestion that the two sides had reached a breakthrough was quickly dismissed. Board chair Bill Yukna released a statement on March 6 making clear no deal had been struck, saying the host committee’s proposal amounted to an agreement with themselves that failed to meet the town’s requirements.
Central to the dispute is nearly $8 million Foxborough wants up front to pay its police. The town refuses to spend taxpayer money on a promise that it will be reimbursed.
Adding to the funding uncertainty is the status of $625 million that the federal government has earmarked for the 11 host cities in the U.S. “to enhance security and preparedness.” But the Homeland Security Department money has been delayed by a congressional freeze on funding related to immigration enforcement.
