While it wouldn't happen until 2026, World Cup soccer could be coming to Gillette Stadium.
On Wednesday, there was a press conference on the field following Robert Kraft and others presenting plans to FIFA officials for Gillette to host games. They are considered high finalists among 17 US stadiums remaining for a final list of 11 since Kraft is honorary chair of the 2026 World Cup United Bid Group.
If Gillette Stadium is selected, modifications would need to be made.
“We play the World Cup on natural grass and we have a standard pitch size that we use for international games,” said Colin Smith, FIFA chief tournaments and events officer, via The Boston Globe. “We need a bit more space around that, given the scale of World Cup matches with photographers, cameras, security.
“Players playing in the World Cup are the best players in the world. And one of the fundamental requirements for us, as FIFA, is the pitch, is to ensure they have the conditions they need, inside the stadiums and also all the training sites, in order to perform at their highest level.”
Gillette Stadium officials said they would rip out the existing turf, upgrade the irrigation system, have natural grass installed and the Globe added they would eliminate some sideline seats to satisfy field-width requirements.
“We look forward to hosting, hopefully, six games here and the quarterfinals like we did back in ‘94 when we had Italy versus Spain," Kraft said.
The 2026 World Cup will take place in three countries — Canada, Mexico, and the US — for the first time. 11 US cities will get to host games. The other US cities being considered are: Dallas (AT&T), Los Angeles (Rose Bowl), New York (MetLife), Washington, D.C. (FedEx), Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz), Baltimore (M&T Bank), Cincinnati (Paul Brown), Denver (Empower), Houston (NRG), Kansas City (Arrowhead), Miami (Hard Rock), Nashville (Nissan), Philadelphia (Lincoln Financial), and Seattle (Lumen).