Scotland fans face Foxborough funding row threat for World Cup games

Scotland supporters travelling to Massachusetts for the 2026 World Cup have been warned that matches scheduled for Gillette Stadium could be jeopardised unless a funding dispute over security costs is resolved in the coming weeks.Town officials in Foxborough, where the New England Patriots play and where a number of World Cup fixtures are due to be staged, say they need clarity on who will pay for public safety provision for the tournament. The town has estimated the bill at around US$8m and has said it cannot carry the cost within its local budget.Foxborough town manager Paige Duncan said the town remains committed to hosting but needs certainty quickly because a local licence is required for the games to go ahead.“Foxborough is committed to hosting the global soccer tournament, but we need clarification on funding by mid-March in order to grant FIFA the license required to hold the event.”The warning raises the possibility of disruption for travelling fans, including Scotland supporters planning to attend group matches in the Boston area. FIFA’s match operations for the venue are centred on Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, around 20 miles from central Boston, with transport and policing plans requiring coordination across local, state and federal agencies.Foxborough Select Board chair Bill Yukna has also made clear the town is prepared to withhold the entertainment licence if the funding issue is not settled, arguing local taxpayers should not be left liable for an international event.The dispute is focused on timing as well as responsibility. Officials say they need the money allocated up front to commission policing, stewarding and other security operations at scale, rather than relying on reimbursement after the event.FIFA has not announced any change to the schedule. Organisers and local stakeholders have indicated they expect a resolution, but Foxborough’s stance means there is now a hard deadline in the run-up to the tournament for the funding plan to be agreed and formally signed off.