Robert Kraft Plans to Bring 2026 World Cup to Gillette Stadium

In a press conference at Gillette Stadium on September 15, Robert Kraft shared plans that would bring six 2026 World Cup Games to Gillette Stadium. This wouldn’t be the first time World Cup Games were played at Boston/Foxborough, for the Foxborough Stadium held six games in 1994.

1994 World Cup Games at Foxborough Stadium

Kraft referenced the 1994 games in his opening remarks saying, “We look forward to hosting, hopefully six games here and the quarterfinals like we did back in ‘94 when we had Italy versus Spain.”

In total, six group stage games and two elimination games were played at Foxborough Stadium that year. Highlights included two wins by both Argentina and Italy, as well as Diego Maradona’s last international game (he tested positive for a banned substance after the games).

Changes to the Turf Field for Both Years

1994 was the year that Kraft took ownership of the New England Patriots, and he quickly made changes to Foxborough Stadium’s field so that the World Cup games could be hosted. Specifically, the artificial turf that was used for football games had to be removed and replaced with natural grass.

In order to host the 2026 World Cup games, Kraft will have to make similar short-term changes to Gillette Stadium’s field. The Patriots’ artificial turf will be pulled up and replaced with a natural grass field. In order to maintain the field, management will reactivate an irrigation system that’s installed but seldom used.

The sideline seating will also have to be adjusted in order to provide enough space for the field and space around it. FIFA Chief Tournament and Events Officer Colin Smith, who was also present at the press conference, explained: “We play the World Cup on natural grass and we have a standard pitch size that we use for international games…we need a bit more space around that, given the scale of World Cup matches with photographers, cameras security.”

Kraft hopes to arrive at a compromise that will allow for sufficient room around the field but also maximize stadium seating.

Payoff in Revenue and Reputation

The cost for making these changes won’t be inexpensive, but Kraft expects to reap the rewards in both revenue and reputation.

Revenues from tickets and concessions will help offset some of the expenses, and revenues from television advertisements will also help. Any gap that remains will be made up for intangibly through the visibility and credibility that holding these games affords.

Gillette Stadium a Favorite Contender

Boston is far from the only stadium vying to host some of the 2026 World Cup games. The games will be held across three countries—the United States, Canada and Mexico—for the first time. Only the host cities in Canada and Mexico are settled thus far.

The Canadian cities that will hold games are Edmonton and Toronto. Monterey, Mexico City, and Guadalajara will be Mexico’s host sites.

In the United States, Boston, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C., Orlando, San Francisco, Atlanta, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Denver, Houston, Kansas City, Miami, Nashville, Philadelphia, and Seattle all have bids in to host games. Of these 17 cities, 11 will ultimately be chosen as World Cup sites.

Boston is a favorite and expected to be one of the chosen cities, for Boston/Foxborough successfully hosted games in 1994. Robert Kraft is also the 2026 World Cup United Bid Group’s Honorary Chair.

Other favorites are Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C., which are all also in contention to host the finals. These are the largest markets that have previously hosted games, and both criteria are largely why people expect one of these cities to hold the finals.

The 1994 games set multiple attendance records for the World Cup but didn’t set the finals attendance record. Officials hope to change that record with the 2026 games.

Robert Kraft Receives Positive Sentiment

The press conference at Gillette Stadium also included FIFA Vice President and CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani and Revolution President Brian Bilello. The conference was the first stop on a nine-city tour for Smith and Montagliani.

At the conference, Robert Kraft received positive sentiment from Montagliani. He remarked, “Robert was already doing his job before we walked up here.” In Spanish, he added that Boston/Foxborough is “a strong candidate.”

Where the 2026 World Cup games will be held in the U.S. isn’t certain yet, and it’s not known what teams will play in Boston/Foxborough if/when the city is officially selected. Boston residents who are willing to watch any team in the World Cup can start saving for tickets to Gillette Stadium, though. Robert Kraft will almost certainly bring six games to the stadium and city.