After weeks of tense negotiations, the town of Foxborough has officially granted FIFA the entertainment license needed to host seven World Cup matches at Gillette Stadium this summer. The decision comes after the town reached a deal to cover the $7.8 million security cost upfront, resolving a major sticking point between local officials and organizers.
The Select Board voted unanimously to approve the license Tuesday night, ending a standoff that had threatened the stadium’s participation in the World Cup. The agreement, facilitated by Kraft Sports and Entertainment, ensures that the town will not bear any security expenses for the global event. Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who owns both the company and Gillette Stadium, played a key role in resolving the funding impasse.
Earlier negotiations were fraught. At a February 17 meeting, the board expressed frustration over the host committee, Boston 26, failing to clarify who would cover security costs. Tensions escalated during the March 3 meeting when board members accused organizers of “nickel and diming†local police and fire chiefs, even threatening to deny FIFA the license entirely.
The resolution came March 11, when Boston 26, KSE, and the town confirmed a deal ensuring Foxborough would not be responsible for any World Cup security expenses. “I want to personally thank KSE and Robert Kraft for his involvement in bringing the funding concerns to a resolution,†said Select Board Chair Bill Yukna.
While Foxborough now has the license, organizers in all 11 U.S. World Cup cities await federal security funding, totaling $625 million under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, plus $250 million for policing drones and America250 events. Though approved by the Department of Homeland Security last week, the funds have yet to be distributed to local hosts.
The move clears the way for Gillette Stadium to join the global tournament, providing New England fans with a high-profile international sporting spectacle this summer.