Foxborough blasts World Cup organizers for failing to clarify funding
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Officials in a southeastern Massachusetts town held off on issuing the license for this summer's World Cup games Tuesday as organizers again failed to clarify who's responsible for security costs.
Why it matters: If left unresolved, the funding stalemate could cost Gillette Stadium in Foxborough the seven World Cup games it's expected to host this summer.
Catch up quick: Foxborough, which owns the land on which Gillette Stadium sits, is waiting to hear back on a federal grant that would cover security costs.
- State lawmakers approved $10 million for the World Cup, but no entity is eligible for more than half. Boston is also eligible for some of the funds for its upcoming fan festival.
- Foxborough, a town of 18,000, can't afford to front the $8 million in security costs, much less foot the bill on its own, town officials say.
Friction point: Select board members said they haven't gotten clarity from the Kraft Group, which owns the stadium, FIFA or the host committee on who is financially responsible if the grant falls through.
- Without any funding commitment, select board members say they can't green light the event license.
The latest: Officials at Tuesday's meeting couldn't get a straight answer from host committee head Mike Loynd or FIFA26 operations director Kevin Clark over who is responsible for security costs.
- Clark ultimately said FIFA wasn't in a position to comment on the financial requirements, saying it was between the stadium and host city.
What they're saying: "Nobody wanted to answer the question, and I think that speaks volumes to the frustration that this board is feeling and concern," said Amy LaBranche, a select board member.
- "I feel very strongly that without those answers, this won't move forward."
Context: The stalemate comes as Foxborough and other Massachusetts communities face rising education, health insurance and other costs.
- In the short term, select board members said, Foxborough doesn't have the money to front security bills.
- "We cannot do that to our taxpayers," Select Board member Stephanie McGowan said.
What we're watching: The town received an offer from the Kraft Group to front the money and be reimbursed later, but it wouldn't cover the full amount, said Bill Yukna, another select board member.
- The nature of that offer is unclear. The Kraft Group did not immediately respond to an email Tuesday night seeking clarification.
What's next: Town officials and organizers are supposed to meet again Wednesday on World Cup preparations.
- The select board says it has to decide whether or not to issue the license by March 17.
Go deeper: Trump could crash Boston's World Cup party
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect that no entity is eligible for more than half of the state's World Cup funds, and that Boston is eligible for some (not at least half).