Ghana’s second group game at the World Cup against England could be cancelled due to an escalating funding dispute surrounding the stadium scheduled to host the match. FIFA is facing the alarming prospect of relocating seven matches away from Gillette Stadium, barely four months before the tournament begins, according to a UK newspaper, The Mirror.
Several World Cup matches, including Ghana vs. England, are scheduled to take place at the location that is home to the New England Patriots and New England Revolution. Scotland’s first two World Cup matches against Haiti and Morocco are also scheduled to be played there, as well as Norway’s clash with France and a fixture involving one of Bolivia, Iraq, or Suriname. The stadium is additionally due to host a Round of 32 match and a quarter-final.
The town of Foxborough, however, has threatened to refuse to issue the required entertainment license until its security expenses are prepaid. Despite being about 22 miles southwest of the city and part of the Boston metropolitan area, FIFA’s sponsorship rules require that the stadium be referred to as “Boston Stadium” during the competition.
The dispute came into sharp focus during a town meeting on Tuesday night between members of the Foxborough Select Board and FIFA representatives. Board members questioned Mike Loynd, head of the Boston 2026 host committee, and Kevin Clark, director of venue operations.
Loynd was asked by board chair Bill Yukna: “Is FIFA, who is going to be the licensee, are they in the end responsible if nothing else comes through on this?”
He responded with “that’s sort of a broad question.”
Board member Mark Elfman responded: “It’s really not.”
Elfman added, as quoted by the Mirror: “I gotta be honest with you, it baffles my mind that you guys are sitting here in front of me right now and how we still have no idea where this money’s coming from.” The projected $7.8 million in security spending is at the heart of the dispute. Foxborough officials insist the amount must be guaranteed upfront, making it clear they will not risk taxpayers’ money on the promise of reimbursement.
Stephanie McGowan, vice chair, made a forceful statement: “We’re not prepared to issue this license unless everything is in place. I’m gonna tell you, this board will not issue this license.”
She further questioned: “How does anybody expect that we would do this for someone who’s coming into our town for 39 days, making all these demands, and then you guys are gonna go away. Then once there is no Boston26 … well, who are we gonna sue?”
Yukna stated that a resolution is still feasible despite the tough stance. “We want nothing more than to be able to just sign on the dotted line and know that when the events start, our problems aren’t about the money.”
Ghana is in Group L and will play England on June 23, 2026, in Boston.
