The town of Foxboro is about to go international with the World Cup arriving this month to take the field. Gillette Stadium, now referred to as the Boston Stadium for the tournament, will host seven games over the next several weeks.

How can residents join in the fun? What an exciting time to showcase what makes this town so special. Norwood’s Economic Development Department has compiled a list of what to know and how to help. Also, more information can be found on the Town of Norwood website at www.norwoodma.gov/departments/economic_development.php.

“The World Cup is a great opportunity for Norwood residents and businesses to participate in this global event, while also allowing Norwood and our neighbors to showcase what makes this region so special to a global audience,” Norwood Economic Development Director Joseph Collins said.

Collins said he’s been busy tracking opportunities and recommendations for residents and local businesses to take advantage of them, as well as to make the community aware of challenges (transportation, etc.) the World Cup may bring, not only to Foxboro, but its surrounding communities.

The Neponset Chamber of Commerce is also on side when it comes to helping locals connect to the World Cup. For details, visit https://www.nrrchamber.com/fifa-world-cup-info.html

According to the FIFA Boston 26 website, applications for volunteers have closed, and the deadline to appear in the Cultural Showcase on June 12 at City Hall Plaza has passed. However, local businesses may still apply for sponsorship opportunities, especially in the fields of hospitality, event services and logistics. For details, visit https://bostonfwc26.com/

Planning a watch party or other World Cup event? The Economic Development Department would like to know; fill out a survey available on the department’s web page. The department plans to market local events and opportunities through the town’s social media channels, newsletters and other channels.

The Neponset Chamber of Commerce is also collecting information on watch parties.

Here’s the schedule of World Cup games:

June 13, 9 p.m. – Group C, Haiti vs. Scotland

June 16, 6 p.m. – Group I, Iraq vs. Norway

June 19, 6 p.m. – Group C, Scotland vs. Morocco

June 23, 4 p.m. – Group L, England vs. Ghana

June 26, 3 p.m. – Group I, Norway vs. France

June 29, 4:30 p.m. – Round of 32

July 9, 4 p.m. – Quarterfinals

State officials and transportation services have addressed traffic concerns surrounding the stadium, and getting to and from, especially with many of the spectators unfamiliar with the area. The Boston Stadium Express, a dedicated direct bus service capable to accommodate 10,000 fans for each of the World Cup matches. The service will feature more than 20 strategically located pickup points across Greater Boston and the surrounding region, including the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence and Boston Logan International Airport. For details on the Stadium Express and other 26 FIFA Boston news, visit https://bostonfwc26.com/newsroom.  The MBTA will also be providing train service to the Foxboro station on match days. All train tickets must be paid for in advance and riders must have a valid match ticket to board. For more information, visit www.mbta.com/schedules/bostonstadium

According to Officer Andrew Jurewich of the Police Department, efforts to support security at the World Cup could be similar to the support provided for New England Patriots games. He said officers may support Foxborough Police at Boston Stadium through MetroLEC assets such as SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics), mountain bike patrols, and detail officers.

Boston Stadium joined the World Cup stage back in 2018 when it became part of a joint bid to host games in North America, according to a story from WCVB-TV. The stadium is home to the New England Revolution pro soccer team. Revolution President Brian Bilello was chair of the Boston portion for the bid; Robert Kraft was honorary chairman of the committee behind the coalition bid.

Earlier in 2026, the town of Foxborough, which is home to the stadium, objected to paying more than $8 million in security costs. The dispute could have led to canceling the games, however, FIFA, the organization overseeing the World Cup, and the Kraft Group agreed to foot the bill for security.

Whether residents are attending matches in Foxborough, hosting watch parties at home, or simply enjoying the excitement from local restaurants and businesses, the arrival of the World Cup offers a unique opportunity for the region to come together and welcome the world to Massachusetts. Town officials encourage residents to plan ahead, support local establishments, and embrace the energy and cultural spirit the international tournament will bring to the area over the coming weeks.