By Matt Hylen

With the 2026 World Cup right around the corner, preparations are already being made around Massachusetts in order to create the most organized and safe environment possible for its natives.

As a start to the process, Wrentham Town Manager Michael King has led a World Cup working group within the town. 

“We created this group to guide local planning for the event,” King details. “The group’s focus is on evaluating both the economic opportunities and public safety impacts that such a large-scale event will have on the community.”

Though still in the early stages, King hopes that this group will serve a multitude of roles that will help answer the questions community members may have leading up to the event. 

“We have meetings on a regular basis,” King said. “The group’s goal is to provide recommendations to help guide local decision-making, and coordinate with neighboring communities affected by the games to promote a cohesive regional approach.” 

With preparations ongoing, King made clear that public safety is their biggest priority. “We do have concerns about the public safety needs for such a large-scale event,” he said. “The World Cup is like a Super Bowl. If that’s the case, we have six Super Bowls happening in the neighboring community of Foxboro. We’re a stakeholder in this.”

King also made sure to address public safety funding, noting the town has taken proactive steps to secure the resources needed. Massachusetts has been allocated approximately $46 million in federal funding for World Cup security, which towns like Wrentham can apply for through the state. 

By applying early, the town is getting ahead of what could become a funding issue as the games approach. “The town has applied for a federal grant to support World Cup security operations to offset the anticipated increase in public safety costs associated with the World Cup,” King said. “We know we are going to have to increase our regular staffing levels, and we expect funds to arrive in February.” 

Beyond securing funding, King emphasized the importance of helping residents and businesses prepare for the influx of visitors expected during the tournament. With seven matches scheduled at nearby Gillette Stadium between June 13 and July 9, surrounding towns like Wrentham are bracing for increased traffic, parking challenges, and potential economic opportunities.

“If you go to our economic development commission page, we have a FIFA Boston 2026 subpage for residents and business owners,” King said. “It provides guidance for small businesses - everything from rent for small businesses, what to expect, and how to prep, to marketing the events themselves, the town planner, and much more.” 

The FIFA Boston 2026 subpage is filled with FAQs and what every resident should know about the potential World Cup impacts. It’s a valuable resource for the community. 

Wrentham’s proactive approach mirrors efforts across the region as communities work to balance the opportunities and challenges of hosting a global sporting event. King’s working group continues to coordinate with neighboring communities. 

The World Cup kicks off June 11 and concludes on July 19. Gillette Stadium will serve as a host venue on June 13, 16, 19, 23, 26, and 29, and July 9.