Governor Healey Details Public Safety and Public Health Preparations for 2026 FIFA World Cup in Massachusetts

 

Governor Healey Details Public Safety and Public Health Preparations for 2026 FIFA World Cup in Massachusetts 

 
Preparations include emergency planning, training and exercises with local, state, and federal partners 

State launches Match-Ready Massachusetts online hub for World Cup information and resources at Mass.gov/WorldCup 

FRAMINGHAM – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today detailed Massachusetts’ extensive 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.  

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.” 

The 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, Governor 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. 

Public Safety Preparations 

MEMA has worked with Boston26 to establish a Public Safety and Security Planning Governance Framework, which defines roles, responsibilities and coordination structures across the many public and private organizations involved in tournament operations. 

At the center of this framework is an Executive Steering Group composed of senior leaders from federal, state, local and private sector partners who have decision-making authority for planning and operations. Supporting this effort is a multi-agency Joint Planning Team, which is developing the FIFA World Cup Boston26 Emergency Operations Plan. Fourteen mission-specific planning groups provide subject-matter expertise and are responsible for developing detailed operational plans covering areas such as transportation, public health, cybersecurity, crowd management and emergency response. 

Massachusetts and its partners are also advancing a coordinated Human Trafficking Preparedness Plan to address the unique risks of sex and labor trafficking associated with the tournament. This trauma-informed, survivor-centered effort strengthens prevention, frontline training, coordinated response, public awareness, and access to victim services through collaboration among state and local agencies, law enforcement, public health partners and community organizations. 

Since summer 2025, MEMA has conducted more than 15 training sessions to strengthen readiness for a large-scale, multi-week international event. Training topics have included crowd management, venue evacuation, and large-event security planning. 

The state has also completed five major preparedness exercises, including an MBTA Commuter Rail evacuation drill, a host-cities cybersecurity tabletop exercise with the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and an Executive Decision Group tabletop exercise designed to test senior-level coordination during complex scenarios. Additional training and exercises are scheduled for this spring. 

“Preparing for an event like the World Cup takes a tremendous amount of coordination, and I’m grateful to the public safety professionals, emergency managers, local leaders and partner agencies who have been at the table doing this work together,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Gina Kwon. “Their collaboration and commitment have been critical from the start, and that work will help ensure Massachusetts is ready to host a safe and successful tournament.” 

“As the Commonwealth’s designated emergency coordination agency, MEMA plays a central role in comprehensive large-event planning and complex multi-agency coordination,” said MEMA Director Dawn Brantley. “This work involves detailed preparedness efforts across all phases of an event, including planning, resource coordination, operational readiness, and real-time response. By bringing together state, local, federal, and private-sector partners, Massachusetts is well positioned to anticipate, manage, and respond to challenges that may arise with an event of the scale and complexity of the World Cup.”  

“Every member of the Massachusetts State Police embraces the enormous responsibility of this moment to ensure the safety of the Word Cup and all of the Commonwealth’s large events this year,” said State Police Colonel Geoffrey Noble. “We do so guided by the leadership of the Healey-Driscoll Administration who understands the complexity of this work and has delivered critical resources to state and local officials preparing for this moment. With confidence in our partnerships and the public’s cooperation, we stand ready to welcome the world to Massachusetts.” 

Public Health Preparations 

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has been engaged in extensive planning and coordination to protect public health during the World Cup. With both prevention and readiness in mind, DPH is prepared to handle a wide range of potential health and safety challenges, such as illnesses, unexpected events or emergencies, and weather-related hazards. 

“Our goal is to promote and maintain a healthy environment so that everyone who comes here for the World Cup or who lives in the Commonwealth can enjoy the festivities comfortably and safely,” said Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. “Our close collaboration with a variety of partners — from Boston 26 to health care providers and emergency services to local health departments — positions us to do just that.” 

With both prevention and readiness in mind, DPH is prepared to handle a wide range of potential health and safety challenges. 

DPH is leveraging its robust incident command capabilities, enhanced data-sharing and disease surveillance systems, and refined public health protocols, environmental health strategies, and medical surge planning. DPH will also provide resources — including the Unhealthy Heat Forecast and related guidance — that will help everyone attending and participating in the World Cup celebrations understand how to stay healthy and how to access medical care while in Massachusetts. 

Interstate and International Collaboration 

In addition to matches in Foxborough, the World Cup will include an official Fan Festival at Boston City Hall Plaza and team base camps in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, requiring coordinated planning across the broader region. Rhode Island public safety and emergency management leaders are among the local, state and federal partners who come together for monthly Public Safety Task Force meetings in Massachusetts, while representatives from MEMA and B26 have participated in and provided briefings for safety and security meetings coordinated by the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency. 

Massachusetts officials are also coordinating nationally with other host states and cities. Earlier this year, public safety leaders attended a World Cup security summit at U.S. Northern Command in Colorado Springs alongside representatives from the other U.S. host cities. MEMA leadership is also leading a World Cup 2026 Task Force within the National Emergency Management Association focused on complex emergency management issues associated with the tournament. 

The World Cup is among several global events, including Sail Boston and the 250th anniversary of the United States, that will take place in Massachusetts this summer. As such, foreign consulates and stakeholders have also been engaged in this planning process. 

Thursday’s Friendly Match 

Officials are also encouraging fans attending Thursday’s match to plan ahead and take simple steps to support a safe and enjoyable event. Drones are strictly prohibited in and around Gillette Stadium, and attendees should review the Stadium’s entry policies before arriving, allow extra time for travel, follow directions from stadium staff and public safety personnel, and stay aware of their surroundings. Anyone who sees suspicious activity should report it immediately to 9-1-1 or onsite authorities. 

To ensure a safe and smooth event experience, access to the stadium on match day is limited to individuals with a valid ticket. It is strongly encouraged that only ticket holders make their way to the stadium on Thursday.