Inside Massachusetts Politics: World Cup in MA almost didn't happen

                  

 LOTS OF POSTS IGNORED BY BLOGGER.....

OR REMOVED ON THEIR WHIM!

ALL POSTS ARE AVAILABLE ON

MIDDLEBORO REVIEW AND SO ON

BLOGGER DOESN'T LIKE TRUTH OR FACTS!

BLOGGER DOESN'T LIKE FUND RAISERS AND DELETES

POSTS THAT INCLUDE FUNDRAISING THAT 'VIOLATES THEIR

UNDEFINED COMMUNITY STANDARDS SO ALL 'FUND RAISING'

IS DELETED - CONTRIBUTE AS YOU ARE INCLINED TO SUPPORT

IMPORTANT ISSUES! THESE ARE NOT SOLICITATIONS

Inside Massachusetts Politics Our expert roundup of the Massachusetts politics that matters. Thu Jun 11 2026 Happy Thursday politicos... and soccer fans? The 2026 World Cup kicks off at 3 p.m. ET today in Mexico City. And the first of  seven matches to be held in Massachusetts is this Saturday, June 13, featuring Haiti vs. Scotland. It’s been a long road to get here – and one more political than you might think. The months-long Department of Homeland Security shutdown earlier this year (remember that?) held up millions of dollars in security-related funding, causing the Town of Foxborough  to hold off on issuing a license for the event for weeks. Ultimately, it took promises from Boston Soccer 2026, FIFA World Cup 2026 and Kraft Sports and Entertainment to back the town up financially for the Foxborough Select Board to approve the license. The Gillette Stadium, officially known as Boston Stadium during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ahead of the FIFA World Cup in Foxborough, Massachusetts, U.S., June 3, 2026. REUTERS/Brian Snyder Brian Snyder, REUTERS There have been other political dramas too, like the $80 train tickets to Gillette Stadium (rebranded Boston Stadium for the tournament) and back and forth over whether  tailgating would be allowed. For this newsletter, I’ve compiled some of our reporting on what it took to get to the first match in Foxborough. Maybe you can use it to impress your friends with fun facts while watching the game. See you next Thursday, Margie World Cup 2026 at Gillette Stadium is on after groups come to a deal The Foxborough Select Board voted on March 17 to approve a license for the World Cup after weeks of tension that had put the event in jeopardy. READ MORE Healey signs bill to allow bars to stay open until 3 am for World Cup The bill allows bars to sell alcohol until 3 a.m. and allows the public consumption of alcohol in locally designated areas. READ MORE Why is it so expensive to get to the World Cup at Gillette? Taking the train to Gillette Stadium for the FIFA men’s World Cup matches this summer will cost $80. Does it have to be that way? READ MORE Healey gives update on World Cup safety in Mass: What to know After funding for security concerns nearly shut down the World Cup matches held in Foxborough, Healey detailed the state's safety preparations. READ MORE DHS shutdown leading to World Cup funding fight in Foxborough Foxborough is one of 11 US cities tapped to host matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup – but the DHS shutdown is putting the event in jeopardy. READ MORE

Sign up for the news you want Exclusive newsletters are part of your subscription, don’t miss out! We’re always working to add benefits for subscribers like you. SEE ALL NEWSLETTERS ➔