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 per UK newspaper, The Mirror.
The venue which serves as home to the New England Patriots and New England Revolution is slated to host several World Cup fixtures, including the Ghana vs England encounter.
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.
However, the town of Foxborough is threatening not to grant the necessary entertainment licence unless its security costs are guaranteed in advance.
Although the stadium forms part of the Boston metropolitan area, approximately 22 miles south-west of the city, FIFA’s sponsorship regulations mean it will be officially referred to as “Boston Stadium” during the tournament.
The dispute came into sharp focus during a town meeting on Tuesday night between members of the Foxborough Select Board and FIFA representatives.
Director of venue operations Kevin Clark and Boston 2026 host committee president Mike Loynd were questioned by board members.
Board chair Bill Yukna asked Loynd:
“Is FIFA, who is going to be the licensee, are they in the end responsible if nothing else comes through on this?”
Loynd replied: “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.”
At the centre of the disagreement is an estimated $7.8 million in security funding.
Foxborough officials insist the amount must be guaranteed upfront, making it clear they will not risk taxpayers’ money on the promise of reimbursement.
Vice chair Stephanie McGowan stated firmly:
“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?”
Despite the hardline position, Yukna indicated that a resolution remains possible.
“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 Group L and will play England on June 23, 2026, in Boston.
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