Real risk of World Cup matches being postponed or moved » The huge chaos in Mexico is not the only problem
Article by Maria Olteanu – Published Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 09:37 / Updated Tuesday, February 24, 2026 09:38
With months to go before the start of the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada, the excitement surrounding the competition continues to grow. Guadalajara is not the only 2026 World Cup host city threatened by incidentsafter the assassination of “El Mencho”ex-cop turned head of the Jalisco New Generation drug cartel.
There have been questions about the matches being held in Guadalajara due to the ongoing unrest in Mexico caused by the assassination of “El Mencho”. Now attention is also turning to the United States. There, some of the tournament's most anticipated matches face the real risk of being canceled or moved because of a funding dispute in Massachusetts.
Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, which will be temporarily renamed Boston Stadium for the World Cup, is scheduled to host seven matches. These include England's clash with Ghana on June 23, as well as Scotland's games against Haiti and Morocco.
However, Foxborough's city council is refusing to issue the entertainment permit needed for these matches unless security funding of around $7.8 million is secured up front.
Growing problems ahead of the World Cup
City officials point out that hosting events of such magnitude is equivalent to managing seven Super Bowls in just 39 days, and they do not intend to take the financial risk without confirmed compensation, according to sportal.gr.
“It makes it look like Foxborough are the bad guys, but we're not. All we're trying to do is protect our citizens,” said council member Bill Yukna.
FIFA and local organizers now face the urgent challenge of securing funding or finding alternative venues. A process that could create extensive logistical complications for teams, media and fans. The deadline is tight: the authorization must be resolved by mid-March in order not to jeopardize the matches.
Problems in the Fan Zone too
The complications are not limited to stadiums. In the New York/New Jersey area, plans for a large Fan Festival in Liberty State Park, intended to serve as a central hub for live screenings and community events, have been scrapped. Officials cited the prohibitive costs of managing huge crowds while maintaining access for local residents.
Tickets had already sold out for the first match at MetLife Stadium between Mexico and South Africa, leaving many fans disappointed. To address the issue, New Jersey officials are now creating multiple smaller fan zones and community viewing spaces throughout the state, with the goal of spreading the World Cup atmosphere on a larger scale.
This approach will allow fans to celebrate the event while reducing pressure on a single venue and minimizing security risks. The 2026 World Cup promises to be one of the biggest in history, with 48 teams competing across multiple venues. However, the latest developments highlight the ongoing financial and logistical hurdles organizers face just months before kick-off.
