A SMALL town has found itself at the center of World Cup chaos after refusing to grant a license for matches to be played at the New England Patriots’ stadium until someone else foots a $8million security bill.
A worried local business owner has told The U.S. Sun that the town fears being left bankrupt if expected to cover the multi-million-dollar tab, as they beg Pats owner Robert Kraft to intervene.
Gillette Stadium, which will be renamed Boston Stadium for this summer’s World Cup, is due to host seven matches including a quarter-finalCredit: Getty
Billionaire Patriots owner Robert Kraft has been urged to stump up the $8 million needed to ensure the games will be playedCredit: Getty
Gillette Stadium is due to stage seven matches, including marquee knockout games, during Fifa’s global showpiece event, which starts on June 11.
The first match is slated for June 13 when Scotland face Haiti.
But in Foxborough, the tiny town of 18,000 residents 22 miles from Boston where the 65,000-seat stadium stands, resentment is growing over the massive funds needed to cover police and public safety costs.
A five-person, locally-run select board has refused to approve the event license without financial guarantees from tournament organizers.
Unless resolved, the home of the Pats, which will be called Boston Stadium during the tournament, and its doors may remain closed.
Terri Lawton, whose Oake Knoll family farm sits in the shadows of the stadium, told The U.S. Sun that the tension is real.
“I think the select board is doing a great job trying to protect residents,” she said.
“We’re a very small town. We don’t have $8million to front — and even if we did, we shouldn’t. As far as I know, there aren’t any assets backing it.”
Lawton hopes Kraft — whose personal wealth is estimated at over $13billion — will cover the costs, fearing the local economy could crumble if residents are forced to foot the bill.
“The reality is the Kraft family will earn more this year than most people in town will make in their lifetimes,” she continued.
“If they want this to happen, the Kraft Group can simply write a check. They probably spend more than that in a month on payroll alone.”
The board has set a March 17 deadline for license approval, emphasizing that security planning and equipment must be secured months in advance.
During the NFL season, billionaire owner and the Kraft Group handle these licenses.
For soccer’s World Cup, however, the stadium has been leased to Fifa under a new agreement, which requires cities to cover the costs of policing, security, and public safety.
Fifa requires venues to be secured for all 39 days of the tournament, not just matchdays, increasing costs.
Bill Yunka, vice Chairman of the Foxborough select board, described staging the soccer matches as “an NFL game on steroids” and the equivalent of “39 Super Bowls,” according to local outlet WCVB .
His fellow board member, Stephanie McGowan, added that the World Cup is “probably more of a headache than it’s worth.”
Boston was allocated $46million last year – from the $625million plan under President Donald Trump’s One, Big, Beautiful Bill – that could be used toward the security fees.
But bureaucratic delays have left a significant gap for town officials.
A February federal government shutdown has further delayed processing of funds promised to host cities through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Yukna also said the Kraft Group is willing to front money equivalent to the expected grant, but it doesn’t cover the full difference and Foxborough would still have to hand over millions.
Foxborough is a tiny town of just 18,000 residentsCredit: Quintin Soloviev/Wikicommons
Terri Lawton told The U.S. Sun that her fellow Foxborough business owners want a resolution to the Fifa security fee shamblesCredit: Getty
Money issues
Farmer Lawton notes that under the current stadium lease, the town receives only 67 cents per ticket sold, the same rate set in 2000 when tickets were $60.
Today, tickets cost a minimum of $100, and police salaries and road wear have increased, but town revenue hasn’t.
“The Krafts are entrepreneurs,” she said
“Their goal is to keep as much revenue as possible. The selectmen’s job is to protect residents. That’s difficult when you’re negotiating with an $11billion company.”
She added, “I hope the Kraft family will cover the cost, because I don’t want taxpayers paying it.
“If they want the World Cup here, they’ll gain more financially than anyone else. As a business owner, I remove obstacles to make deals happen. I don’t understand the hesitation.
“Spreading the $8million across 18,000 residents would have serious effects. We wouldn’t be able to pay teachers, police, or firefighters. This isn’t emotional — it’s business. We have to fund essential services.
“The selectmen have told the Kraft Group and the Boston organizing committee for over a year that the town wouldn’t front the money. We’re a town, not a bank. The Kraft Group has invested heavily to bring it to Foxborough.”
Shared costs
Under Fifa’s hosting agreements, the organization takes the lion’s share of revenue—ticketing, broadcast rights, sponsorships, and parking.
Host cities handle security, public safety, transportation hubs, and protection for officials, including Fifa president Gianni Infantino. Infantino predicts tournament revenues topping $11billion and a U.S. economic impact of $30billion.
Lawton said despite the claims the tournament will bring in a profit for the area, local businesses may struggle during the tournament.
“Traffic is so heavy that locals stay home,” she noted.
“Chase Lumber on Route One could have a tough June because no one wants to fight traffic. It’s congestion, not government restrictions.”
The dispute over the license has overshadowed any excitement in Foxborough before soccer’s biggest stars descend.
“The bottom line,” Lawton said, “is the Kraft Group will make substantial money from this event. The town just needs to protect itself.
“This isn’t about spite. The town simply doesn’t have the money and has to protect itself.”
The World Cup is just over 100 days away, yet organizational problems have already begun.
A six-week fan fest in New Jersey has been scrapped due to financial issues, and a similar event in Miami faces funding problems.
Meanwhile, violence in Mexico following the killing of cartel boss Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes has raised questions about staging crucial qualifying matches in the country later this month.
The opening game is scheduled to be in Mexico City.
The U.S. Sun reached out to Fifa and the Kraft Group for comment, but neither has responded.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
I'm dedicated to creating high-quality content that informs, inspires, and delights. If you have any questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to get in touch. Happy reading!
