England World Cup 2026 match at severe danger as licence refused in bitter FIFA row
England’s World Cup 2026 game at Gillette Stadium is at risk as Foxborough officials refuse to grant entertainment licence until they receive £5.8 million in security funding
England’s World Cup game against Ghana is at risk(Image: Getty Images)
An England World World Cup group fixture has been plunged into chaos after US stadium authorities declined to provide a crucial licence amid a heated dispute over security funding.
Before a ball has been played, this summer’s tournament is rapidly deteriorating into farcical circumstances as the official FIFA Fan Fest for the New York/New Jersey region has also been scrapped, with merely four months remaining. Authorities in New England have threatened to abandon World Cup matches scheduled at Gillette Stadium – including Scotland encounters – unless it receives essential public safety funding.
Without the financial backing, the local authority in Foxborough has cautioned it will decline to provide the entertainment licence necessary to host the fixtures at the 64,628-capacity venue of the New England Patriots. Such action would plunge travel arrangements for thousands of England fans into disarray.
Supporters have already spent thousands of pounds on flights, accommodation and match tickets. Any last-minute cancellation would compel them to reorganise plans at enormous expense, with no assurance of recouping their costs, as the matches could be relocated hundreds of miles elsewhere.
The town is set to stage seven matches this summer, including a quarter-final. Haiti are due to take on Scotland in Foxborough on June 13, followed by Scotland versus Morocco on June 19 and England against Ghana on June 23. France, Norway and two knockout clashes are also on the cards.
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However, despite three years of preparation by Foxborough police and fire department bosses, the town claims it is still awaiting £5.8 million to cover security expenses. Town officials maintain they cannot afford to pay the seven-figure sum upfront and wait for reimbursement later. Without the cash, crucial safety kit has yet to be ordered, and arrangements remain unfinished.
Bill Yukna, a member of Foxborough’s select board, cautioned: “It’s the equivalent of seven Super Bowls here and 39 days of coverage, which is not small and not to be lost. We have to secure that facility for 39 days straight.”
He continued: “It comes down to sounding like Foxborough is being the bad guys here, but we really aren’t. All we’re trying to do is protect our citizens.”
During a heated meeting last week, council officials confirmed they would refuse to grant the crucial entertainment licence until they receive reimbursement worth several million dollars. The cut-off date for issuing the licence is March 17.
Select board member Stephanie McGowan emphasised the magnitude of the financial strain, stating: “The money has to be here. Everyone thinks we have a football stadium in this town, but with that being said, we’re a small town. We have 18,000 people.”
The funding row has reached boiling point at the most critical juncture. Boston 2026 Host Committee Chair Mike Loynd insists the White House is liaising daily with Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to obtain grant funding.
Yet Homeland Security remains closed following the expiry of government funding – creating fresh doubts about when, or whether, Foxborough might receive the money.
Last month, the local Police Department, Massachusetts State Police and Boston Police jointly secured £8.15 million in grant funding to guard against “malicious drone activity” during World Cup fixtures and American 250 events. However, that sum doesn’t cover the wider security costs the town claims it’s facing.
The escalating chaos arrives as organisers across the New York and New Jersey region face their own major blow. Eight World Cup fixtures, including the final, are due to be staged at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Yet the official FIFA Fan Fest for the area, earmarked for Liberty State Park, has been cancelled just four months before the tournament kicks off.
The fan festival was announced in February 2025 by Tammy Murphy, wife of the then-New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and chair of the New York/New Jersey host committee board of directors.
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Preparations had been ongoing for a year, with hopes for the venue to operate throughout all 104 matches. Tickets had already gone on sale, and the state’s Department of Environmental Protection had suspended picnic bookings and restricted access to grass areas to allow for arrangements.
However, following a series of policy shifts by newly elected New Jersey governor Mikie Sherrill, who assumed office earlier this year, the Liberty State Park proposal has been ditched. Instead, he has revealed £3.7 million for schemes to “bring the excitement” of the tournament to communities throughout New Jersey via smaller viewing parties and street festivals.
Steve Sigmund, a spokesman for the Governor’s office, said: “The Jersey City venue is no longer being utilised. Instead, Governor Sherrill is creating a program to bring the excitement of the World Cup to communities throughout New Jersey.
“We’ll be working in close partnership with NJ EDA (New Jersey Economic Development Authority) and the World Cup host committee in developing this program and look forward to great experiences for New Jerseyans in every part of our state.”
