Expect continuous airplay of Dropkick Murphys’ hit song “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” this summer.
From June 13 to July 9, while not technically in Boston, seven games of the biggest sports competition in the world will be played at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, a suburb outside of Boston and, famously, home to the New England Patriots and New England Revolution. Here is a guide to all the games that will be played near Boston.
Scotland vs. Haiti
The FIFA World Cup kicks off in Boston with a seemingly uninteresting matchup as Scotland takes on Haiti in a Group C clash June 13. Scotland is a dark horse in the tournament, bolstered by a strong squad including fullback Andrew Robertson, a standout player for Liverpool FC; midfielder John McGinn, captain of Aston Villa; and, most importantly, 2024-25 Serie A player of the year, midfielder Scott McTominay. With a strong core, Scotland shouldn’t be underestimated.
This game is made more important by the structure of the group the two teams were drawn into. Scotland and Haiti face the tough task of having to outqualify five-time champions Brazil and 2022 semi-finalists Morocco. Earning three points from this faceoff may provide a significant boost for a potential upset.
Norway
The second clash is also not a particularly marquee matchup, as Norway takes on one of Bolivia, Iraq or Suriname in Group I June 16. However, this gives fans in Boston a chance to see prolific striker Erling Haaland in full flow. The 25-year-old will be playing his first ever FIFA World Cup and has a point to prove. He is supported by Arsenal standout midfielder Martin Ødegaard, Atletico de Madrid striker Alexander Sørloth and former club teammate midfielder Oscar Bobb. Expect a strong showing from Haaland and his fellow Norwegians, especially as they have a strong chance to qualify in their group.
Scotland vs. Morocco
The third game in Boston is another Group C matchup, as home favorites Scotland take on Morocco June 19. This game has more star power than Scotland’s first clash, as the team faces a Morocco squad that overachieved in Qatar in 2022. Morocco reached the semifinal stage before being bested by France and then Croatia, settling for fourth place overall.
There are interesting matchups across the board in this clash, as Scotland’s attackers will take on a resolute Moroccan defense led by captain Achraf Hakimi and goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. This is also a crucial Group C game, as the winner improves its chances in the round of 32 — a crucial advantage considering the sheer talent in this edition of the tournament.
England vs. Ghana
Game four is the first time Bostonians will see a team ranked in the FIFA top five as England takes on Ghana June 23. This will be an exciting game to watch, as England has become a consistent figure in the knockout stages of major competitions, making two consecutive European Championship finals and a semifinal appearance in the 2018 World Cup.
Players to watch include striker and captain Harry Kane, a veteran and top scorer in the 2018 tournament, Real Madrid star and SKIMS model Jude Bellingham, winger Cole Palmer and midfielder Phil Foden. One game may not define an entire tournament, but a win in this match would certainly boost England’s chances of bringing the trophy home.
Ghana isn’t without talent either, with electric players like winger Mohammed Kudus, forward Inaki Williams and young defender Tariq Lamptey. Given the talent on display for both sides, don’t expect England to walk away easily, as Ghana can put up a strong fight.
Norway vs. France
Norway is in action again June 26 against 2018 champions France in a clash that pits two strong rosters against each other. This will be a crucial game in Group I, as both teams will duel for supremacy and a superior draw in the round of 32, boosting their chances for the rest of the tournament.
Boston will get to see Haaland and company in action again, this time against a stronger defense boasting FC Barcelona center back Jules Koundé and Arsenal FC center back William Saliba. France also has a strong attack with the likes of forward Kylian Mbappé, midfielder Rayan Cherki, forward Antoine Griezmann and young, talented forward Bradley Barcola. This game is between two strong teams on paper — hopefully the actual match lives up to the billing.
Game six
Game six is the first of two knockout games to be held in Boston. The game will be played June 29 between the winner of Group E and the best third-place team from Groups A, B, C or D/F. Due to the unpredictable nature of soccer and the FIFA World Cup, it is incredibly difficult to predict who will be playing in these games, and judgement will have to be reserved for how the actual tournament progresses. However, this can be considered the first high-stakes game played in Boston, with elimination at stake for both teams in the matchup. Thus, you can expect the quality of soccer to be intense and competitive.
Final game
The quarterfinal — the final and most important game played in Boston — will be played July 9 between the winners of the round of 16 games held July 4. Since this game is later in the tournament than the others played in Boston, it’s expected that the teams playing will be strong contenders for the trophy. Fans are likely to witness some marquee players and matchups, as both coaches will be eager to field their strongest 11 players and advance toward the tournament’s pinnacle.
Boston will host seven interesting games that will have long and far-reaching consequences for teams and the entire tournament. Expect strong performances from all involved as they slug it out to summit the highest and most prestigious peak soccer has to offer.
