Two global soccer teams returned to the United States when Brazil and France faced off at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Thursday as part of Road to 26, a new series of international exhibitions leading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It was the first international soccer match at Gillette Stadium since Copa América Centenario in 2016, marking France’s first-ever appearance at the venue and Brazil’s sixth time competing in Foxborough. Although the match didn’t start until 4 p.m., fans were waiting at the gate as early as noontime.Decked out in green and gold, Brazil’s fans brought the music, the moves and the meat, as they turned Gillette into a giant Rio beach party.France’s fans were less numerous but no less excited about their chances, especially coming off a first-place World Cup finish in 2018 and a second-place finish in 2022.These so-called “friendly” matches don’t count for the World Cup, but they’re a chance for teams to size each other up and decide on their final rosters before the official matches begin in June.Here’s what’s on the menu for tailgaters rooting for Brazil: The game is also being considered a test run for public safety during June’s matches. Security will be tight and noticeable, as 70 agencies have been involved in the planning and nearly $70 million from Washington, D.C., has been made available for security. “It is our last major event before World Cup kicks off, and it just happens to be am international soccer game. So it couldn’t align any better,” Foxborough Police Department Chief Michael Grace said.Grace said that while the layered security platform is similar to what police use for New England Patriots games other large events at Gillette, international soccer provides some unique challenges.”We will be testing some of our World Cup strategies. For example, we really have to make people be aware of no contraband allowed inside the stadium. This is not allowed on any other event, so sometimes we do see in these international soccer games, people trying to sneak in, like, flairs or pyro. That is absolutely prohibited,” Grace said.Getting to Gillette StadiumTraffic restrictions will be in place on local roads before and after the match. Fans who use local roads will experience delays in arrival times due to road closures that are not captured by traffic and navigation apps. Fans must use Interstate 95, Interstate 495 or Route 140 to access Route 1 and Gillette Stadium. Video below: How to get to GilletteThe MBTA Commuter Rail and Keolis are providing round-trip, special event train service from Boston to the match, with $30 round-trip tickets available for purchase now exclusively via the mTicket app. Train service will operate express from Boston’s South Station (no stops at Back Bay or Dedham Corporate Center) to Foxboro Station. Tickets will be sold by boarding Group A or Group B, with the schedules and additional details available below. Tickets must be purchased prior to boarding the event trains. All passengers, including children 11 and under, must have a ticket to board the trains. Parking at GilletteStadium lots opened for parking at 12 p.m. Gillette Stadium offers free general parking for all ticket holders. General parking is located on the opposite side of Route 1 from the stadium and is included in the price of the event ticket. A parking pass is not required for general parking, but anyone not holding an event ticket will not be able to access and park in the stadium lots. For ticketholders wishing to park on the stadium side of Route 1, prepaid parking passes starting at $50 are available for purchase. In order to purchase a prepaid parking pass, ticketholders must use the same email address that their event tickets are associated with. Fans attending Brazil-France are reminded that bags larger than a small wristlet or handheld wallet will not be allowed inside Gillette Stadium, per the venue’s clear bag policy, which is in effect at all ticketed events. If carrying a bag into the stadium is necessary, there are three options: a one-gallon clear plastic freezer bag that does not exceed 11 inches by 11 inches; a clear plastic vinyl or PVC bag that does not exceed 12 inches by 12 inches by 6 inches; or a small wristlet or handheld wallet not exceeding 6.5 inches by 4.5 inches.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. —
Two global soccer teams returned to the United States when Brazil and France faced off at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Thursday as part of Road to 26, a new series of international exhibitions leading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
It was the first international soccer match at Gillette Stadium since Copa América Centenario in 2016, marking France’s first-ever appearance at the venue and Brazil’s sixth time competing in Foxborough.
Although the match didn’t start until 4 p.m., fans were waiting at the gate as early as noontime.
Decked out in green and gold, Brazil’s fans brought the music, the moves and the meat, as they turned Gillette into a giant Rio beach party.
France’s fans were less numerous but no less excited about their chances, especially coming off a first-place World Cup finish in 2018 and a second-place finish in 2022.
These so-called “friendly” matches don’t count for the World Cup, but they’re a chance for teams to size each other up and decide on their final rosters before the official matches begin in June.
Here’s what’s on the menu for tailgaters rooting for Brazil:
The game is also being considered a test run for public safety during June’s matches. Security will be tight and noticeable, as 70 agencies have been involved in the planning and nearly $70 million from Washington, D.C., has been made available for security.
“It is our last major event before World Cup kicks off, and it just happens to be am international soccer game. So it couldn’t align any better,” Foxborough Police Department Chief Michael Grace said.
Grace said that while the layered security platform is similar to what police use for New England Patriots games other large events at Gillette, international soccer provides some unique challenges.
“We will be testing some of our World Cup strategies. For example, we really have to make people be aware of no contraband allowed inside the stadium. This is not allowed on any other event, so sometimes we do see in these international soccer games, people trying to sneak in, like, flairs or pyro. That is absolutely prohibited,” Grace said.
Getting to Gillette Stadium
Traffic restrictions will be in place on local roads before and after the match. Fans who use local roads will experience delays in arrival times due to road closures that are not captured by traffic and navigation apps. Fans must use Interstate 95, Interstate 495 or Route 140 to access Route 1 and Gillette Stadium.
Video below: How to get to Gillette
The MBTA Commuter Rail and Keolis are providing round-trip, special event train service from Boston to the match, with $30 round-trip tickets available for purchase now exclusively via the mTicket app. Train service will operate express from Boston’s South Station (no stops at Back Bay or Dedham Corporate Center) to Foxboro Station. Tickets will be sold by boarding Group A or Group B, with the schedules and additional details available below.
Tickets must be purchased prior to boarding the event trains. All passengers, including children 11 and under, must have a ticket to board the trains.
Parking at Gillette
Stadium lots opened for parking at 12 p.m. Gillette Stadium offers free general parking for all ticket holders. General parking is located on the opposite side of Route 1 from the stadium and is included in the price of the event ticket.
A parking pass is not required for general parking, but anyone not holding an event ticket will not be able to access and park in the stadium lots. For ticketholders wishing to park on the stadium side of Route 1, prepaid parking passes starting at $50 are available for purchase. In order to purchase a prepaid parking pass, ticketholders must use the same email address that their event tickets are associated with.
Fans attending Brazil-France are reminded that bags larger than a small wristlet or handheld wallet will not be allowed inside Gillette Stadium, per the venue’s clear bag policy, which is in effect at all ticketed events.
If carrying a bag into the stadium is necessary, there are three options: a one-gallon clear plastic freezer bag that does not exceed 11 inches by 11 inches; a clear plastic vinyl or PVC bag that does not exceed 12 inches by 12 inches by 6 inches; or a small wristlet or handheld wallet not exceeding 6.5 inches by 4.5 inches.