England World Cup game facing real risk as bitter row takes new twist | Football | Sport

England’s World Cup group fixture against Ghana faces turmoil after a US stadium authorities declined to grant a crucial licence amid a contentious dispute over security funding. Before a ball has even been kicked at the tournament, this summer’s competition is rapidly deteriorating into farcical circumstances as the official FIFA Fan Fest for the New York/New Jersey region has also been scrapped, with just four months remaining.

Authorities in New England have threatened to cancel World Cup fixtures scheduled at Gillette Stadium – including Scotland and England matches – unless vital public safety funding is secured. Without the necessary funds, the local board in Foxborough has cautioned that it will withhold the entertainment licence needed to host the games at the 64,628-capacity home of the New England Patriots. Such action would plunge travel arrangements for thousands of England fans into disarray.

Supporters have already spent thousands of pounds on flights, accommodation and match tickets. Any last-minute cancellation would compel them to reorganise their plans at considerable expense, with no assurance of recouping their outlay, as the fixtures could be relocated hundreds of miles elsewhere.

The town is set to stage seven matches this summer, including a quarter-final. Haiti are scheduled to meet 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 on the agenda.

However, despite three years of preparation by the heads of the Foxborough police and fire departments, the town claims it is still awaiting £5.8million to cover security expenses. Town officials maintain they cannot afford to advance the seven-figure sum and wait for reimbursement at a later stage. Without the funding, crucial safety equipment remains unordered, and preparations are yet to be finalised.

Bill Yukna, a member of Foxborough’s select board, cautioned: “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 continued: “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.”

At a heated meeting last week, town officials confirmed they would refuse to issue the crucial entertainment licence until they receive reimbursement of several million dollars. The cut-off date for granting the licence is March 17.

Select board member Stephanie McGowan emphasised the magnitude of the financial strain, 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.”

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The financial row has intensified at the most inopportune time. Boston 2026 Host Committee Chair Mike Loynd maintains the White House is liaising daily with Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to obtain grant funding.

Yet Homeland Security is presently closed following the lapse of government funding – creating fresh doubt over when, or whether, Foxborough can anticipate receiving the money.

Last month, the local Police Department, Massachusetts State Police and Boston Police were jointly awarded £8.15million in grant funding to safeguard against “malicious drone activity” during World Cup fixtures and American 250 events. However, that sum does not address the wider security costs the town claims it is facing.

The growing chaos arrives as planners in the New York and New Jersey region are wrestling with their own complications. Eight World Cup fixtures, including the final, are due to be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

However, the official FIFA Fan Fest for the area, intended for Liberty State Park, has been cancelled just four months before the start of the tournament.

The fan festival was revealed 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.

Preparations had been in progress for a year, with aspirations for the venue to operate throughout all 104 matches. Tickets had already been purchased, and the state’s Department of Environmental Protection had suspended picnic bookings and restricted access to grassy sections to facilitate arrangements.

But following a series of policy shifts by newly elected New Jersey governor Mikie Sherrill, who assumed office earlier this year, the Liberty State Park proposal has been scrapped. Instead, he has pledged £3.7 million for programmes to “bring the excitement” of the tournament to communities throughout New Jersey via smaller viewing events and street festivals.

Steve Sigmund, a representative for the Governor’s office, stated: “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 programme and look forward to great experiences for New Jerseyans in every part of our state.”

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