England are scheduled to play Ghana in their second World Cup group stage match at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, 35 miles southwest of downtown Boston.
England squad to play their second World Cup group stage match against Ghana at a different stadium (Image: Getty Images)
FIFA faces the worrying prospect of having to move seven World Cup matches from Gillette Stadium due to ongoing funding disputes just four months before the tournament begins.
England vs. Ghana is one of seven games scheduled to be played at the stadium that is home to the NFL’s New England Patriots and MLS’s New England Revolution. Scotland’s first two World Cup matches since 1998, against Haiti and Morocco, will also be held here, as will Norway’s matches against France and one of Bolivia, Iraq or Suriname.
Gillette Stadium will also host the Round of 32 draw and quarterfinals. But the city of Foxboro is threatening to deny the necessary recreational licenses unless security costs are covered.
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The stadium is located in Foxboro, part of the Boston metropolitan area, but 35 miles southwest of the city. Despite the distance, FIFA’s stadium sponsorship rules mean that it will be known as “Boston Stadium” during the tournament.
A town meeting was held Tuesday night with members of the Foxboro Selection Committee, which is responsible for providing guidance and developing policy, and representatives from FIFA.
Venue manager Kevin Clark and Boston 2026 host committee chair Mike Loind faced questions from board members.
Chairman Bill Yucna asked Roynd: “If nothing else is decided in this case, will FIFA, as the licensee, ultimately be held responsible?” “That’s a bit of a broad question,” Loind said, to which board member Mark Elfman countered, “That’s not really the case.”
Gillette Stadium will host seven games, including Round of 32 draws and quarter-finals (Image: Getty Images)
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Elfman also said, “I have to be honest, I’m confused that you’re all sitting here right now and you still don’t know where this money is coming from.”
Vice-chair Stephanie McGowan was adamant about her position on the matter, saying: “We are not prepared to issue this license until everything is in place. Let me tell you, this board will not issue this license.”
What they are hoping for is an estimated $7.8 million (£5.79 million) in guaranteed funds, guaranteed in advance by organizers. The City of Foxboro is not willing to spend taxpayer money on the mere promise of repayment.
McGowan added: “How could anyone expect us to do something like this to someone who has been in our town for 39 days and made these demands? Then you guys are going to leave. And when the Boston 26 is gone…now who are we going to sue?”
Yukuna stressed that he is ready to grant the license once everything is resolved. “All we want is for us to just sign on the dotted line and know when the event begins that our problem is not about money,” the chairman said.
