Officials in Foxborough, Massachusetts, have warned that World Cup matches scheduled to take place at Gillette Stadium could be cancelled if promised federal funding is not released imminently. The town is one of 11 host cities waiting for a share of $625m (approximately £490m) in security grants approved by Congress last July but currently frozen due to the partial US government shutdown.
Testifying before a House homeland security committee hearing on Tuesday, representatives from Miami, Kansas City and New Jersey expressed alarm that the funding, administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema), has not been distributed. The shutdown, now in its third month, has left Fema without funding after lawmakers failed to pass the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations bill.
Foxborough officials have confirmed they have not received the necessary funds and are now considering the cancellation of ancillary events, including a planned fan festival. “We have to start making some really tough decisions, and that starts with our fan festival,” said Raymond Martinez, chief operating officer of the Miami host committee, whose concerns were echoed by other cities. “The matches at the stadium will take place, but preparing for other events will be in jeopardy.”
Joseph Mabin, deputy chief of the Kansas City police, described the funding situation as “absolutely critical”, stating that the “drop dead” date for funds is immediate. Kansas City is expecting 650,000 visitors for its six matches and an 18-day fan festival. Without the money, officials fear security decisions will be driven by budget constraints rather than threat assessments.
The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada, is less than four months away, with Foxborough set to host several matches. The shutdown has already forced the scrapping of a large-scale fan festival in New Jersey’s Liberty State Park. Host cities warn that time is running out to finalise plans, with Miami’s fan festival build scheduled to begin within 70 days.
