A growing financial issue over the venue that will host Ghana’s second World Cup group match against England may result in the match’s cancellation.
According to the UK publication The Mirror, FIFA faces the daunting possibility of moving seven games away from Gillette Stadium just four months before the tournament starts.
The New England Patriots and New England Revolution’s home field will host a number of World Cup games, including the match between Ghana and England.
It will also host Norway’s encounter against France, Scotland’s first two World Cup matches against Haiti and Morocco, and a matchup with Bolivia, Iraq, or Suriname. In addition, the stadium is scheduled to host a quarterfinal and a Round of 32 match.
The municipality of Foxborough, however, has threatened to refuse to issue the required entertainment license until its security expenses are pre-paid.
Despite being about 22 miles southwest of the city and part of the Boston metropolitan area, FIFA’s sponsorship rules require that the stadium be referred to as “Boston Stadium” during the competition.
The dispute came into sharp focus during a town meeting on Tuesday night between members of the Foxborough Select Board and FIFA representatives.
Director of venue operations Kevin Clark and Boston 2026 host committee president Mike Loynd were questioned by board members.
Board chair Bill Yukna asked Loynd: “Is FIFA, who is going to be the licensee, are they in the end responsible if nothing else comes through on this?”
Loynd replied: “That’s sort of a broad question.”
Board member Mark Elfman responded: “It’s really not.”
Elfman added as quoted by the Mirror: “I gotta be honest with you, it baffles my mind that you guys are sitting here in front of me right now and how we still have no idea where this money’s coming from.” At the centre of the disagreement is an estimated $7.8 million in security funding.
Foxborough officials insist the amount must be guaranteed upfront, making it clear they will not risk taxpayers’ money on the promise of reimbursement.
Vice chair Stephanie McGowan stated firmly:
“We’re not prepared to issue this license unless everything is in place. I’m gonna tell you, this board will not issue this license.”
She further questioned: “How does anybody expect that we would do this for someone who’s coming into our town for 39 days, making all these demands, and then you guys are gonna go away. Then once there is no Boston26 … well, who are we gonna sue?”
Despite the hardline position, Yukna indicated that a resolution remains possible.
“We want nothing more than to be able to just sign on the dotted line and know that when the events start, our problems aren’t about the money.”
Ghana is Group L and will play England on June 23, 2026, in Boston.
