RI Zero, MA Received $76M in Federal Funds for Security for World Cup

RI Zero, MA Received $76M in Federal Funds for Security for World Cup

The Healey-Driscoll Administration on Wednesday detailed Massachusetts’ public safety and public health preparations underway ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including coordination across more than 70 agencies and the securing of nearly $76 million in federal funding to support safety, security, emergency, and transportation planning efforts.

Providence may be closer to the games at Gillette Stadium than Boston, but to date, Rhode Island has received zero federal funding for security and is now scrambling.

Governor Dan McKee’s office, for three days, promised to respond to questions about how much was sought from the federal government and how much has been secured.

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After multiple emails, the McKee administration claims that it was not eligible for funding and that it is now asking Massachusetts for some of its funds.

“Because the State of Rhode Island is not a designated host-city jurisdiction, it was not eligible to directly request federal safety and security funding. However, due to Rhode Island’s close proximity to Foxborough and Boston’s role as a host city, Director [Marc] Pappas coordinated directly with Director Brantley of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency to pursue funding through Massachusetts’ request to FEMA. At this time, there are no confirmed figures regarding what, if any, funding Rhode Island may receive,” said Courtney Marciano of RIEMA.
 

 

Rhode Island Will Host Tens of Thousands - Team Base Camp

Tens of thousands of World Cup visitors are expected to stay and visit Rhode Island during the games that take place in less than three months.

Rhode Island was selected as the official "Team Base Camp" for the Ghana Football Association during the FIFA World Cup 2026. 

Bryant University will serve as the team's official training site.  Providence is the host city.

According to state officials, the Ghana "Black Stars" will use Bryant’s 43,000-square-foot field house and state-of-the-art training, recovery, and wellness center in Smithfield. 

Boston this week was selected to serve as a base camp for the French World Cup team. The team will train at Bentley University in Waltham, MA.

 

7 Matches and Tens of Millions for Mass

With seven matches set to take place in Massachusetts between June 13 and July 9, 2026, the Healey-Driscoll Administration is leading a whole-of-government effort to ensure the tournament is safe, secure, and well-coordinated for residents and participating teams. State officials are working in close partnership with federal, local, regional and private sector partners to plan for all aspects of the event, from transportation and crowd management to cybersecurity, public health, and emergency response.  

The Healey-Driscoll Administration is also launching the Match-Ready Massachusetts online hub, where residents and businesses can access information and resources related to the FIFA World Cup in Massachusetts. The hub is available at Mass.gov/WorldCup. 

“The scale of this event requires preparation at every level, and Massachusetts is putting in the work to make sure we are ready,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We are no strangers to hosting major events like the Boston Marathon and the Army Navy game, and we’re building on that experience by bringing together more than 70 agencies, securing $76 million in federal funding, and coordinating closely with partners across government to plan for every scenario. Residents and visitors alike can be confident that we are prepared to host a safe, secure and successful World Cup.”  

“This is a true whole-of-government effort, built on strong coordination and collaboration,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Public safety professionals, local leaders and partners across the region are working every day to make sure Massachusetts is ready to host this global event safely.” 

Massachusetts' preparations, by the numbers: 

• 70+ agencies participating in statewide public safety planning and coordination efforts
• 14 specialized planning groups developing operational annexes and mission-specific plans for the World Cup Emergency Operations Plan
• 2 Executive Steering Groups providing senior-level coordination on public safety and public health/ medical services across federal, state, local and private partners
• 351 Massachusetts local emergency management directors have received briefings on anticipated statewide impacts, with additional briefings planned as tournament time approaches
• 16+ training classes and seminars conducted since last summer for first responders, emergency managers, local officials and federal partners
• 5 major exercises conducted or supported to rehearse emergency scenarios and operational coordination
• Nearly $76 million in federal funding secured, including more than $46 million awarded through the FIFA World Cup Security Grant Program, $21.2 million through the Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Grant Program, and $8.6 million from the Federal Transit Administration
• $10 million in state supplemental funding appropriated for costs related to the World Cup matches
• 7 matches scheduled in Foxborough at Gillette Stadium (designated “Boston Stadium” during the tournament) between June 13 and July 9 

The planning effort is being coordinated through the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency in partnership with the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS), the Massachusetts State Police, and the FIFA World Cup Boston26 Host Committee. 

To support this unprecedented planning effort, Massachusetts has secured nearly $76 million in federal funding for World Cup security and preparedness, including more than $46 million through FEMA’s FIFA World Cup Security Grant Program and an additional $21.2 million through the Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Grant Program. The funding is helping state and local partners strengthen staffing, training, equipment, planning and operational coordination for matches and related events across Massachusetts. Massachusetts has also been awarded $8.6 million from the Federal Transit Administration for public transportation. 

The state has also committed $10 million in supplemental funding to support costs associated with hosting World Cup matches in Massachusetts. Earlier this week, Healey awarded $10 million in grants to 17 recipients through the Sports and Entertainment Events Fund Grant Program to support fan celebrations and community watch party events across Massachusetts celebrating the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 

This story was updated at 3/28/2026 at 11:00 AM.