Officials in Foxborough, Massachusetts, have issued an ultimatum to FIFA, demanding clarity on $8 million in funding for public safety costs at Gillette Stadium ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Without assurances by mid-March, the town will not grant a license for the seven scheduled matches, putting Scotland's games against Haiti and Morocco at risk. Town manager Paige Duncan emphasized that local taxpayers cannot bear the financial burden.
The town of Foxborough is locked in a dispute with FIFA over funding for security measures during the 2026 World Cup matches at Gillette Stadium. Local officials estimate costs at around $8 million, primarily for the Foxborough police department to handle law enforcement inside and around the venue. Paige Duncan, the town manager, stated in a January letter to FIFA: "Without a satisfactory resolution of this issue, the Town will not be able to act favorably on your application and finalize licensing, and the seven matches proposed to take place in Foxborough would therefore be at risk."
Foxborough, a small town where budgets are approved by residents at semiannual meetings, cannot rely on speculative reimbursements. Duncan told ESPN: "It just doesn't work that way. Foxborough is a small town where residents vote on budget matters at town meetings." While the U.S. government has allocated $625 million to enhance security across 11 host cities, the specific amount for Foxborough remains unclear. The town owns the land on which Gillette Stadium sits, owned by the Kraft Group, and follows a similar licensing process as for NFL games.
Scotland's national team is set to play Haiti on June 13 and Morocco within a week, drawing tens of thousands of fans who have already booked travel and accommodations. The stadium will also host two knockout-stage games, including a quarterfinal on July 9. FIFA's Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for World Cup Boston 2026, Julie Duffy, responded: "We are working closely with FIFA, the stadium and the town of Foxborough to reach an agreement."
A town hall meeting with FIFA representatives is scheduled for February 17, with a firm deadline of March 17 for resolving the issue. Duncan added: "My ultimate goal is for this to work out so that Foxborough can host the World Cup as planned. We are committed to collaboration, careful planning and public safety, but the significant costs associated with hosting the World Cup cannot fall on local taxpayers." If unresolved, Duncan warned: "If nobody gives money, there's no World Cup in Foxborough."
