Overview
- Select board members told FIFA and the Boston 26 host committee they will not issue the required entertainment license without assured, upfront payment for public safety costs estimated at about $7.8 million.
- FIFA deferred financial questions to the stadium and host city, the host committee said it is responsible for public safety under the hosting agreement but offered no funding guarantee, and The Kraft Group has not formally committed to cover the bill.
- Federal authorities have earmarked $625 million for security across the 11 U.S. host cities, yet Foxborough has no clarity on its allocation or timing, and local officials reject spending on the promise of later reimbursement.
- Discussions include a potential stadium-provided “liquidity agreement” to cover most public safety payroll — described as roughly 80% — but a complete solution to cover all costs has not been presented.
- The board will revisit the issue March 3, with a hard deadline of March 17, and warns that without a resolution the seven matches — including a quarterfinal between June 13 and July 9 at the venue to be branded Boston Stadium — are at risk.