BOSTON (AP) — Top sports officials, including New England Patriots owner Jonathan Kraft, joined Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and others Thursday to celebrate the state’s participation in World Cup 2026 and to help reveal Boston Soccer 2026’s local branding efforts.
Foxborough’s Gillette Stadium is one of 16 arenas in the United States, Mexico and Canada selected to host soccer games in the international sporting event.
Sponsors of the event say it could bring hundreds of millions in economic benefits to the region while attracting more than 400,000 visitors. The last time the greater Boston area participated in a World Cup was in 1994.
“This is super, super exciting,” Healey said. “We will take advantage of this opportunity.”
Kraft owns Gillette Stadium through its Kraft Sports Group. The Kraft family also owns the New England Revolution.
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, left, Brian Bilello, president of Boston Soccer 2026, and the New England Revolution, center, and Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, right, speak during the ceremonies held to introduce the home brand of Boston Soccer 2026 to the 2026 World Cup, Thursday, May 18, 2023, in Boston. Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts is one of 16 arenas in the United States, Mexico and Canada selected to host soccer matches in the international sporting event. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Steven Senne
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, center, and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, right, pose for a photo during ceremonies to unveil Boston Soccer’s 2026 home brand for the World Cup in 2026, Thursday, May 18, 2023 in Boston. Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts is one of 16 arenas in the United States, Mexico and Canada selected to host soccer matches in the international sporting event. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Steven Senne
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, right, stands near a mariachi band, left, as she speaks to reporters after ceremonies to introduce Boston Soccer’s 2026 home brand to the Cup of the 2026 World Cup, on Thursday, May 18, 2023 in Boston. Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts is one of 16 arenas in the United States, Mexico and Canada selected to host soccer matches in the international sporting event. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Steven Senne
Kraft said Gillette should host at least six games. He also said the World Cup will highlight Boston’s role on the world stage and bring together fans from around the world.
Each of the 16 host cities has its own brand and logo.
Boston’s logo and branding incorporate some familiar elements of the city, such as the cobblestones used to create streets in early Boston and the Zakim Bridge, as well as a green, blue and orange color palette.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said the 2026 event will be the fourth time Boston has helped host the World Cup.
“Today we continue to be made richer, stronger, more vibrant and more connected by the communities around the world who call this place home,” he said. “So it only makes sense that for the fourth time the World’s Game returns to the World City.”
Kansas City, another of the 16 cities selected to host World Cup games, announced Thursday the formation of KC2026, a nonprofit organization that oversees the strategy and conducts host city duties for the World Cup
“We couldn’t be more excited to host the FIFA World Cup,” said Missouri Governor Mike Parson. “This means even more investment in infrastructure, business development, talent acquisition and economic growth for Kansas City.”
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