FIFA, Kraft Group agree to cover World Cup security costs at Gillette Stadium
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FIFA and the Kraft Group have reached a deal to cover security costs for the 2026 World Cup matches at Gillette Stadium.
Why it matters: Foxborough officials refused to issue World Cup organizers the license to host the seven soccer matches without an assurance that the town wouldn't be stuck footing the $7.8 million bill, threatening the future of the Massachusetts games.
Driving the news: The Boston host committee, known as Boston Soccer '26, sent a letter to Foxborough officials Thursday stating it will cover security costs as the town awaits word on a federal funding request.
- Boston Soccer '26 will pay the town for World Cup-related security costs within two days of getting an invoice, per the letter signed by the committee's president, Mike Loynd.
- That includes both equipment-related expenses leading up to the tournament and public safety personnel costs.
- Kraft Sports and Entertainment, whose parent company owns the stadium, will front the host committee up to $1.5 million to cover security-related equipment costs, according to an agreement they finalized Thursday.
What they're saying: "Providing a stadium for the World Cup means shutting it down from all external business for two months and we were happy to do it, as we are proud to showcase our home state," a Gillette spokesperson said, noting they offered state officials use of the stadium for the tournament five years ago.
- "Unlike games and concerts, World Cup matches are not revenue generating events for the stadium, but they do generate a significant amount of tourism and visibility for the state."
- Gillette is committed to ensuring Foxborough's needs, the spokesperson added, by fronting the money while the host committee awaits grant funding and through financial and logistical support for related capital spending.
The deal shores up funding to cover security costs while Foxborough awaits the results of its funding request to the World Cup Grant Program, which awards funding through federal and state agencies to applicants.
- The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which oversees the grants, hasn't made any funding announcements.
Yes, but: Bill Yukna, the Foxborough Select Board chair, told Axios in an email that Boston Soccer '26 and Kraft "have not agreed to pay for all the needed assets as outlined by our security plan.
- "They want to nickel and dime the plan instead of [ensuring] public safety."
Friction point: Foxborough officials raised issues with securing equipment at a meeting earlier this week when the host committee proposed having it arrive by June 1, less than two weeks from the first match at Gillette.
- In the letter, Loynd said the committee would pay for the security-related equipment needed.
- He said the committee would make the equipment available "on or before the date reasonably determined by the Chiefs, but no later than the commencement of the World Cup Events," which includes trainings leading up to the Gillette games.
By the numbers: The host committee said in the letter it has $2 million in its account as of Thursday and expects to receive another $30 million from commercial activities and from state and federal funding.
- "With the amounts on hand and expected additional funding, BS26 is and will remain well capitalized to pay all amounts as they come due in connection with hosting World Cup Events," the letter states.
- The source of those initial funds is unclear. The host committee, which is registered as a nonprofit, did not respond to inquiries from Axios about the balance.
What's next: Foxborough Select Board members are scheduled to vote on the World Cup license on March 17.