Fifa and Foxborough officials in financial standoff jeopardising World Cup fixtures
A bitter financial standoff between Fifa and local authorities in Foxborough is jeopardising World Cup group fixtures at Gillette Stadium, reports BritPanorama.
Municipal leaders are refusing to issue the entertainment licence required for matches at the 66,000-seat venue until football’s governing body agrees to pay £6m towards policing, safety, and infrastructure expenses. The hosting agreement mandates that cities cover these costs, although federal borrowing options are available.
Foxborough officials have made clear they will not budge from their position, creating a significant headache for organisers as the tournament fast approaches. Seven matches are scheduled for the Massachusetts stadium, located approximately 22 miles southwest of Boston. These include crucial fixtures for both home nations; Scotland will face Haiti and Morocco, while England is set to meet Ghana on June 23.
The dispute could force Fifa to make a last-minute venue change if negotiations fail to reach an agreement. It had been widely expected that the Kraft family, owners of the NFL franchise the New England Patriots who call Gillette Stadium home, would underwrite the associated costs, but they have declined to do so. The Kraft family maintain that the stadium falls under Fifa’s jurisdiction for the duration of the competition, with the governing body set to assume control of preparations, including laying a new grass surface to replace the existing artificial pitch.
However, the Foxborough Select Board remains unmoved by such arguments. Board head Bill Yukna stated: “The town is going to stand behind the request of the money for both manpower and some capital and expense items. And if they aren’t met, then as this board has discussed in the past, the license won’t be granted. We are going to be very clear with that.”
This latest dispute adds to a pattern of difficulties surrounding the Boston area’s involvement in the tournament. US President Donald Trump publicly questioned the city’s right to host matches last year following a disagreement with Boston’s Democratic mayor. Although that tension appeared resolved when venues were confirmed after December’s draw, concerns linger. Tensions are also evident elsewhere, with several host cities scaling back their commitments to tournament fan zones. Fifa had announced that supporter gathering areas would operate throughout the competition, yet Boston officials have indicated their fan fest outside City Hall Plaza would only be open for a maximum of 16 days rather than the full duration.
The scenario serves as a stark reminder of the complexities surrounding major international events, where financial obligations and local governance intersect, often with contentious outcomes.
