The World Cup is heading to Massachusetts, and Gillette Stadium in Foxborough is set to play a significant role in the festivities come 2026. As per reports from CBS News Boston, the stadium has secured the rights to host a total of seven matches, including five group plays, one knock-out in the round of 32, and a high-stakes quarterfinal clash.

Don't look now, but the fans will be getting an up-close view of international soccer from June 11 to July 19, with the games at Gillette kicking off on June 13. According to NBC Boston, those knock-out round matches are set with one game in the Round of 32 on June 29 and that big Quarterfinal game on July 9 looming. It's a sporting bonanza that's set to shake the ground right under the feet of Foxborough businesses, gearing up for a tourism tsunami.

Gillette Stadium is faced with a transformation fit for the World Cup's grandeur. The artificial turf will be swapped out for natural grass – nothing but the best for the world's most prestigious soccer event. The field will also see a stretch to reach the FIFA-mandated dimensions – a lush 75-by-115-yard expanse of green is in the works to accommodate the fancy footwork of soccer's elite athletes. Highlighting the city's transformation, a media briefing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday.

The economic impact, while the details are left to be hashed out as we approach the event, is promising. Hotels, restaurants, and shops can expect an influx of football fanatics ready to open their wallets as wide as their passion for the game. It's a score for local businesses as much as it is for the fans. And just to add a sprinkle of historical significance to the whole affair, this will be the first World Cup to be hosted across three nations – the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, as noted by NBC Boston. One hundred and four games, 48 teams, and a shared dream of raising the World Cup trophy.

For the uninitiated or those living under a rock lined with football resistance, the World Cup is indeed the créme de la créme of the soccer world. The tournament will officially kick off in Mexico City on June 11, 2026, with the United States team debuting a day later at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. But for the final showdown, eyes will turn to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19, where a new world champion will be crowned.