Boston World Cup organizers reaffirmed their dedication to covering security expenses in a letter dispatched Thursday to Foxborough town officials, furthering efforts to resolve a disagreement that jeopardizes a license FIFA requires to utilize the stadium.
In the correspondence, signed by Boston Soccer 2026 president Mike Loynd and general counsel Curtis Franks, the organizers pledged to settle any public safety expenses within two business days of receiving an invoice. The host committee also provided written assurance that Kraft Sports & Entertainment, a branch of the Kraft Group that owns the stadium, will provide financial support if necessary.
To alleviate town officials’ worries regarding the host committee’s financial situation, Loynd and Franks stated that the committee had $2 million in its accounts as of Thursday morning and is expected to receive at least an additional $30 million.
“With BS26’s current funds, supplementary government funding and commercial activities, along with the financial backing from KSE, there can be no doubt that BS26 possesses the resources to fulfill all obligations as they arise in connection with hosting World Cup Events,” they wrote.
The core of the disagreement involves nearly $8 million that the town claims is needed to compensate local police. While Foxborough is waiting for funds from a federal grant, which has been postponed due to the partial government shutdown, town officials are seeking a guarantee of the funds from the organizers in advance.
During a local board meeting earlier this week, two attorneys representing the host committee informed town officials of their willingness to pay, but the two parties remained in disagreement. Following the meeting, board chair Bill Yukna told reporters that although the host committee had provided assurances, the town had “seen nothing in writing.”
In the letter, the organizers expressed their belief that they have addressed “each and every one of the concerns” raised by local police and fire chiefs regarding the World Cup.
Foxborough town officials are set to vote on granting FIFA a license to utilize the stadium for seven World Cup matches at their upcoming meeting on March 17. Gillette Stadium is scheduled to host its first match on June 13, featuring Scotland against Haiti.
ESPN has reached out to the town manager for a response.
