World Cup

Healey announces kickoff of public safety initiative for 2026 World Cup

Thursday’s friendly match in Foxborough will act as a trial run for the state’s safety plan during the seven scheduled summer matches.

Gov. Healey, seen here in January, announced Massachusetts' World Cup safety plan Wednesday. Ben Pennington/The Boston Globe

By Darin Zullo

March 25, 2026

2 minutes to read

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup fast approaching, Gov. Maura Healey held a press conference Wednesday on the state’s planned safety measures for the seven games to be held in Foxborough.

“I can promise you that this is going to be a safe, secure, and successful World Cup here in Massachusetts,” Healey said.

The seven matches at Gillette Stadium, renamed “Boston Stadium” for the tournament, will take place between June 13 and July 9. A taste of that energy will brush the stadium this Thursday when Brazil and France face off in an international friendly match.

Boston City Hall Plaza will host an official FIFA Fan Festival during the summer. This celebration will include “live match broadcasts, interactive games and activities, and food and beverages from local vendors,” city officials said.

Healey dubbed the state’s public safety initiative “Match-Ready Massachusetts,” which has been driven by $76 million in federal funds for World Cup security. Cybersecurity, emergency preparedness, and public health have all been key focuses, but perhaps the biggest hurdle to clear is public transportation.

For Thursday’s friendly, four “event trains” will run between South Station and Foxborough Station, Healey said at the press conference. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) will also make lane adjustments to account for an influx of traffic.

Special MBTA schedules for the summer matches will be announced “in the coming weeks,” according to Healey.

Crowd control is also a major concern, as the next few months will bring a nearly non-stop wave of crowd-heavy events to Boston. At Wednesday’s press conference, Massachusetts State Police Col. Geoffrey Noble previewed how law enforcement’s attention will shift from one event to the next.

“Following this match, we will turn our attention to the Boston Marathon and the hundreds of college and university graduations across the Commonwealth this spring,” Noble said. “From there, we enter a six-week stretch that includes the FIFA World Cup, America 250th celebrations surrounding the Fourth of July, and Sail Boston, events that will bring millions of visitors and residents into our region.”

Noble encouraged Thursday’s match attendees to be safe and prepared by checking state and stadium websites, allowing for extra travel time, and opting to use public transit rather than driving if possible. He also made it clear that weapons, drones, and fireworks are strictly prohibited near the stadium.

The state’s safety team is also closely monitoring potential health issues, including infectious disease, food-borne illnesses, sudden medical emergencies, and environmental or weather hazards. The biggest anticipated challenge, however, is extreme heat, Massachusetts Department of Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein said Wednesday.

Across health, safety, and transportation, Thursday’s friendly will serve as a trial run of sorts, Healey said. The state’s initiative will be amended as needed before the summer matches.

Earlier this week, the governor awarded $10 million in grants to support World Cup celebrations and events statewide. These include town watch parties, fan zones, and youth soccer festivals.

“We want this to be an experience that everyone across Massachusetts can enjoy, and so, I’m looking forward to those funds helping local communities create their own fan experiences,” Healey said Wednesday.