February 19 – When FIFA comes to town, municipalities usually roll over – but two weeks after Foxborough’s World Cup security funding dispute burst into public view, there is no sign that local authorities are willing to budge on who will cover nearly $8 million in public safety costs tied to the seven 2026 World Cup matches scheduled for Gillette Stadium.
In a meeting at Foxborough’s municipal building, local officials again asked organisers who would cover the cost of security funding, with Mike Loynd, president of the Boston 2026 host committee, under fire from Select Board members.
“I gotta be honest with you, it baffles my mind that you guys are sitting here in front of me right now and how we still have no idea where this money’s coming from,” select board member Mark Elfman summed up.
Town Manager Paige Duncan has warned that Foxborough needs clarity by mid-March to issue FIFA the required licence to stage the event, and the increasing tension over the matter was palpable throughout the meeting.
Loynd insisted questions over liability were “broad,” much to the disagreement of the board, and no clarity came when FIFA 26’s director of venue operations Kevin Clark insisted he was only there to discuss “operational questions” and was “not in a position to comment on the financial requirements.”
Past World Cup hosts have experienced FIFA’s stringent demands, which can see cities reconciling with the bills once the World Cup party leaves town, but it’s clear Foxborough has no interest in being left short.
Whilst the federal US government has earmarked $625 million for U.S. host-city security, Foxborough officials say they won’t front their taxpayer money just on promises, with select board vice chair Stephanie McGowan explicitly saying the required licence would not be issued “unless everything is in place.”
Yet despite all the troubles, the Boston Host Committee is moving full steam ahead with the FIFA Fan Festival at Boston City Hall Plaza.
The official announcement, at the location itself. featured Governor Maura Healey and Mayor Michelle Wu among others, perfectly contrasting its excitement with the tension at the Foxborough municipal building.
“We can’t wait to welcome fans from across the world to the FIFA World Cup and showcase all that Massachusetts has to offer,” said Governor Healey.
She may be left waiting longer than she bargained for.
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