‘Vamos Boston!’: Boston.com readers react to the World Cup coming to Gillette

The World Cup is coming to Boston in 2026 and, some minor skepticism apart, Boston.com readers are very excited to have soccer’s greatest occasion come to our neck of the woods.

Final week, FIFA judges introduced that video games will likely be performed at Gillette Stadium, which can reportedly be refitted with pure grass as a substitute of turf forward of the massive occasion. The final time Boston was a number metropolis for the World Cup was in 1994. 

After the announcement concerning the upcoming event, we requested Boston.com readers in the event that they thought town was able to tackle the video games as soon as once more. Whereas some fear about what the inflow of worldwide soccer followers will deliver to Boston roads, a majority of the 275 readers who responded to our ballot mentioned Boston is a good match for the World Cup.

Steve from Dedham mentioned town can deal with any sporting occasion that comes our means. 

“No completely different than another occasion just like the Marathon, Head of Charles, NFL, NHL, MLB, and NBA video games,” he mentioned. “Why not? If we may do it in ’94, why not once more?”

A number of of the readers who weren’t too thrilled about FIFA’s announcement needed to make one level of clarification: Foxborough isn’t Boston. 

“Boston is a good host metropolis, however Foxborough just isn’t Boston,” mentioned Aaron from Cambridge. “Foxborough just isn’t an excellent host metropolis for a wide range of causes, however primarily as a result of it’s not a metropolis and has nothing to do with Boston. A part of the enchantment of Sox, Celts, and Bruins is town. Gillette Stadium and its nondescript strip mall is a tragic illustration of what the area really has to supply; the stadium might be in Oklahoma and it might really feel the identical.” 

Whereas the video games will likely be performed in Gilette Stadium, Boston plans to carry fan fest occasions within the metropolis. FIFA picked its host cities partially primarily based on the power to deal with the sorts of crowds the video games will little question produce. 

“We’re happy with our lengthy legacy of championship groups and followers, and we’re able to showcase our metropolis to soccer followers all over the world as they arrive to rejoice the gorgeous recreation,” Mayor Michelle Wu mentioned in a press launch concerning the announcement.

Lots of the readers who responded to our ballot described themselves as enormous followers of the game and mentioned they’re excited for the numerous communities within the Boston space who will get to expertise the video games in their very own backyards. 

“We had been an incredible host in ’94 and are a good higher candidate now with our successes in each main sport since then,” mentioned Conor from South Boston. “Boston can be an incredible melting pot so you already know the environment will likely be unreal if Italy, Eire, Brazil, and so on. get a recreation or two right here.”

Is Boston able to tackle the World Cup in 2026? Under you’ll discover a sampling of responses from readers sharing why they do, or don’t, suppose Boston has what it takes. 

Some entries could also be edited for size and readability.

Do you suppose Boston is an effective host metropolis for the 2026 World Cup?

Sure

“Boston is a good venue for the World Cup. A worldwide metropolis with an incredible sports activities tradition. Issues about visitors and overcrowding are overblown. We might most likely get 4-6 video games on the Razor over the course of a month, which is greater than manageable for a metro space of over 5 million folks. I want the World Cup was coming to my metropolis!” — Jeff, Dennis

“I’m an Uruguayan dwelling within the space and so excited to see the most important sports activities occasion on the earth come to us. Regardless of the fears of congestion and so on., I’m assured town will have the ability to deal with it (suppose 2 to 4 video games out of many) and the rewards will likely be priceless! There’s nothing like the thrill of a world crowd coming to cheer for his or her workforce. Full eating places, bars, and inns, demand for taxis and rides, superb vitality, and media showcasing this incomparable metropolis and state. To not point out the big variety of soccer followers already dwelling right here and ravenous for stay world-class video games (NE Revs apart 👍🏼). I can’t see something however positives and an incredible alternative. Vamos Uruguay!! Vamos Boston!!” — Laura V., Dedham

“The size of the portion of the World Cup that occurs in every host metropolis is one thing that Boston handles commonly, and it may be executed with infrastructure that Boston already has and makes use of, reasonably than requiring particular infrastructure that must be constructed earlier than and repurposed afterward (just like the Olympics would). Boston additionally has communities with ties to World Cup contenders.” — Daniel, Somerville

“We’re among the best sports activities cities on the earth and should be part of this occasion, which is the world’s greatest sports activities stage. I do know I’m excited to attend a recreation or three. It might have been a disgrace if we missed out on this.” — Danny, Quincy

“I might argue that the World Cup has risen to the extent of, and presumably surpassed, the Olympics in world viewership and curiosity. Having the ability to host a portion of this world-class occasion with out billions of {dollars} in losses, just like the Olympics, makes this a straightforward win for Boston and New England as a complete.” — Adam H., York, Maine

“It’s the best sports activities occasion on the earth. Boston ought to really feel fortunate it gained the bid. The tourism {dollars} and simply general buzz outweigh visitors or another NIMBY argument. The town has and can at all times have visitors points. The World Cup gained’t repair it or make it that a lot worse.” — Conor, Natick

No

“Foxborough is a ache to get to. Site visitors is horrible. Native residents have to remain at dwelling or keep away throughout video games. For Pats video games, the road for the boys’s room at halftime is half-hour. Takes 2 hours to get out of the parking zone after the sport. [They should] have constructed it nearer public transport. The place will the FanFest be? At Metropolis Corridor, 30 miles away from the sport?!?” — Richard W., Auburndale

“First, I LOVE the World Cup. Can’t wait, however I’m not certain Boston (Foxborough) can pull this off. There’s no dependable public transportation. I stay close to Gillette and going to a Pats recreation is a nightmare. I do consider the Krafts could have an excellent plan and venue when you get there.” — Jessica, North Attleborough

“The visitors from the U.S. Open practically undid me. The World Cup is components of magnitude larger. I do know Foxborough is healthier at visitors than Brookline but it surely nonetheless feels like an excellent time to go on trip.” — Kay, Boston

“It’s not in Boston. Foxborough just isn’t close to something. Everybody has to drive out from town and discover parking — it’s a logistical and environmental catastrophe. It’s additionally only a horrible soccer stadium. They should cease attempting to make it work and construct a soccer-specific stadium in Boston on the T. Suffolk Downs? Wonderland? Each are nice choices to draw younger folks and the immigrant communities that you must make the game come alive. I’m an immigrant, I really like the game, and I’ve traveled to observe video games everywhere in the world. Gillette is among the many worst stadiums I’ve ever been to.” — Joe, Salem

Boston.com often interacts with readers by conducting casual polls and surveys. These outcomes must be learn as an unscientific gauge of readers’ opinion.