Boston mayor reacts to report on FIFA $1M World Cup contribution – NBC Boston

Boston received millions of dollars in federal funding to cover costs associated with hosting the 2026 World Cup, but a separate $1 million payment reportedly promised by FIFA remains uncertain.

The city of Boston received $23 million in reimbursements from the federal government through the Federal Emergency Management Agency for expenses associated with the tournament.

“We have gotten our reimbursements from the federal government, for security and other costs related to the watch parties and public safety and all of that,” Wu said.

That money, however, came from the federal government — not FIFA.

Boston was reportedly one of 11 U.S. host cities expected to receive an additional $1 million from FIFA.

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Host committee executives told The Athletic that FIFA management had assured them the money would be provided as a “legacy contribution” to help build mini-pitches and fund other social projects after the tournament.

“I was not aware of any plans for that, but certainly if that’s happening in other cities, we’d want to make sure that Boston is included, too,” Wu said.

NBC10 reached out to the Boston 2026 Host Committee for answers but has not heard back from its president. The organization was expected to dissolve after the tournament.

Reaction in Boston, impact for Foxborough?

Chip Goines, an activist who opposed efforts to bring the Olympics to Boston and raised concerns about the costs communities could face from hosting World Cup events, said municipalities should use their position when negotiating with major international sports organizations.

“Towns need to realize that they have leverage,” Goines said, arguing that organizations expecting to generate billions of dollars from major sporting events should contribute toward expenses such as security and stadium cleanup.

Before the World Cup, Foxborough used entertainment licensing as leverage to ensure public safety costs would be covered up front.

Boston City Councilor at-large Erin Murphy said even $1 million could make a difference as the city faces difficult budget decisions.

“Especially after just coming off of the first really tight budget season,” she said. “I’ve been on the council for five years now — in this budget season, we were cutting veteran services, we were cutting senior services, you know, community. We’re cutting 400 teachers in our schools. So $1 million matters. Every dollar counts.”

If Boston ultimately receives the reported $1 million award from FIFA, it remains unclear how the money would be distributed or whether Foxborough would receive a portion.

Fans are flooding Foxborough on Thursday ahead of Massachusetts’ final match of the 2026 World Cup between France and Morocco.