The homeowner threatens not to issue permits for the matches, FIFA World Cup 2026 faces danger.

The 2026 World Cup has not yet kicked off but is already dealing with an unforeseen "hot spot" in the United States.

The town of Foxborough, Massachusetts, home to a 65,000-seat stadium scheduled to host 7 matches, is threatening to withhold permits if security cost issues are not fully resolved.

According to the plan, the Boston stadium in Foxborough will host 5 group stage matches, 1 round of 32 match, and 1 quarter-final on July 9. Notably, the group stage match between England and Ghana will also take place here. However, instead of a festive atmosphere, the locality is embroiled in a fierce dispute over the $7.8 million cost for police and public safety forces.

Regarding facilities, the stadium faces no issues. Since its inauguration in 2002, it has regularly hosted major events, including NFL games for the New England Patriots and MLS matches for the New England Revolution. However, according to local officials, the scale of a World Cup is entirely different and brings significant financial burdens.

The town's executive board has refused to issue permits without clear financial commitments. Board member Bill Yukna stated this is not the responsibility of a small town with about 18,000 residents. If forced to cover the costs themselves, Foxborough risks severe impacts on its budget for education, security, and other essential services.

Ms. Terri Lawton, a farm owner near the stadium, expressed support for the board's decision. She believes it is unreasonable to expect local residents to "bear" nearly $8 million. She also suggested that the family of billionaire Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and Kraft Group, should take a more proactive role in resolving the financial deadlock, as they are predicted to benefit greatly from this global-scale event.

The deadline for issuing permits is March 17, but a final agreement on who will pay the aforementioned costs has not yet been reached. If no common ground is found, the scenario of Foxborough losing its hosting rights could very well occur, setting a rare precedent in World Cup history.