England’s World Cup group game has been plunged into chaos after a US stadium licence row threatened to pull matches at Gillette Stadium, while the FIFA Fan Fest has been cancelled just four months before kick-off
13:22, 23 Feb 2026Updated 13:22, 23 Feb 2026
England game in jeopardy as US stadium licence row explodes and FIFA fan fest is axed in embarrassing blow(Image: Getty Images)
England’s World Cup group game is in chaos after US stadium officials refused to grant an essential licence in a bitter security funding row.
Before a ball has even been kicked, this summer’s tournament is quickly descending into farcical scenes as the official FIFA Fan Fest for the New York/New Jersey area has also been cancelled, with just four months to go. Officials in New England have threatened to pull the plug on World Cup matches taking place at Gillette Stadium – including Scotland fixtures – if it does not receive vital public safety money.
If the cash is not paid, the local board in Foxborough has warned that it will refuse to issue the entertainment licence required to stage the games at the 64,628-seat home of the New England Patriots. Such a move would throw travel plans for thousands of England supporters into chaos.
Fans have already paid thousands of pounds for flights, hotels and match tickets. Any late cancellation would force them to rearrange itineraries at huge cost, with no guarantee of recovering their money, as the matches could be moved hundreds of miles away.
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The town is due to host seven matches this summer, including a quarter-final. Haiti are scheduled to face Scotland in Foxborough on June 13, followed by Scotland vs Morocco on June 19 and England vs Ghana on June 23. France, Norway and two knockout fixtures are also pencilled in.
But despite three years of planning by the chiefs of the Foxborough police and fire departments, the town says it is still waiting for £5.8 million to cover security costs. Town leaders insist they cannot afford to front the seven-figure bill and wait to be reimbursed at a later date. Without the funds, major safety equipment has not yet been ordered, and preparations remain incomplete.
Bill Yukna, a member of Foxborough’s select board, warned: “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 added: “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.”
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Officials in Foxborough are at loggerheads with FIFA over the use of Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots NFL side.(Image: Getty Images)
During a tense meeting last week, town officials confirmed they would withhold the essential entertainment licence until they are reimbursed several million dollars. The deadline for granting the licence is March 17. Select board member Stephanie McGowan underlined the scale of the financial burden, saying: “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 dispute has escalated at the worst possible moment. Boston 2026 Host Committee Chair Mike Loynd claims the White House is working daily with Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to secure grant funding.
However, Homeland Security is currently shut down after government funding lapsed – raising fresh uncertainty over when, or if, Foxborough can expect the cash.
Thousands of fans are already boycotting the games due to high ticket prices and Donald Trump’s policies(Image: PA)
Last month, the local Police Department, Massachusetts State Police and Boston Police were collectively awarded £8.15 million in grant funding to protect against “malicious drone activity” during World Cup matches and American 250 events. But that allocation does not cover the broader security bill the town says it faces.
The mounting turmoil comes as organisers in the New York and New Jersey area are grappling with their own setback. Eight World Cup matches, including the final, are scheduled to take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Yet the official FIFA Fan Fest for the region, planned for Liberty State Park, has been scrapped just four months before the tournament begins.
The fan festival was unveiled in February 2025 by Tammy Murphy, the wife of the then-New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and chair of the New York/New Jersey host committee board of directors.
Planning had been underway for a year, with ambitions for the site to operate throughout all 104 games. Tickets had already been sold, and the state’s Department of Environmental Protection had paused picnic reservations and limited access to grassy areas to accommodate preparations.
The hugely popular FIFA fan fest, where fans unable to obtain tickets often gather, has been cancelled (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
But following a wave of policy changes by newly elected New Jersey governor Mikie Sherrill, who took office earlier this year, the Liberty State Park plan has been abandoned. Instead, he has announced £3.7 million for initiatives to “bring the excitement” of the tournament to communities across New Jersey through smaller watch parties and street fairs.
Steve Sigmund, a spokesperson 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.”
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