With 20 days remaining before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the city of Chelsea, Massachusetts, moved ahead with plans for a 39-day celebration despite still waiting for approval to show tournament matches publicly.
City officials launched promotional campaigns for watch parties, soccer events and family activities planned throughout the tournament. Leaders said they expected the World Cup festivities to bring tourism dollars to local businesses while encouraging residents to gather in public again.
Chelsea City Manager Fidel Maltez noted 70% of the city is comprised of a Latino population, and 53% are foreign-born. He said immigration enforcement activity over the last year had hurt businesses and kept many residents from spending time downtown.
“We walked our streets in fear. We felt like we couldn’t come outside. Our business owners complained about how our downtown was decimated,” he said.
Mayor Michelle Wu is pumping the brakes after the MBTA said it needs to close a street in Boston during World Cup matches in Foxboro.
Maltez said the city hoped large public gatherings and increased local police presence would help residents feel safe during the tournament.
“Anytime that there was a large gathering, [ICE] shied away from it,” he said.
The city has planned several English and Spanish watch parties in Chelsea Square and other activities tied to the World Cup.
Beginning June 11, Chelsea Square will be transformed into an outdoor gathering space for the tournament. Visitors can expect an outdoor large-screen viewing experience, local food vendors, music and community programming showcasing the cultures and traditions of the city’s diverse community.
World Cup viewers in the U.S. have their choice of watching games in English or Spanish, and studies show that some English speakers choose Spanish.
Chelsea Sports Tourism Director Charlie Giuffrida said officials wanted to create opportunities for local families and youth soccer players during the tournament.
“We want to make sure our youth soccer ecosystem and all of our community has some amazing things to do to capitalize on what’s going to be, probably, one of the best summers North America’s seen in a long time,” said Giuffrida.
Maltez said the city allocated nearly $500,000 in combined state and local funding for the celebrations.
However, organizers said they still had not received FIFA licensing approval to broadcast matches during public watch parties.
“It’s definitely scary that we’re weeks away and we don’t have a license yet,” said the city’s civic designer, Omar Miranda, who applied for a license several months ago.
Several other cities and towns hosting World Cup watch parties were also still waiting for FIFA approval, including Everett, Worcester and Lexington.
Even if the license does not arrive in time, organizers said the city still planned to move forward with festivities.
“They’re going to watch it in our businesses if they have to. We’re just going to have a space for them to have fun and enjoy the celebrations,” said Miranda. “Licenses or not, we’re going to have a 38-, 39-day party here at Chelsea Square.”
The City of Chelsea posted a watch party calendar on its website and is kicking off “Fiesta Fútbol” on Saturday with other public activities to follow:
- Adult Soccer Tournament: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 23, at Highland Park, 45 Willow Street, Chelsea
The City is accepting 16 teams for an 8v8 double-elimination tournament. Teams are encouraged to play as their home or favorite nations — including Honduras, El Salvador, the United States, Mexico, and others — and wear culturally-themed gear. Pre-registration is required at recreation.chelseama.gov. - Soccer Field Day — Youth Soccer Community: 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Saturday, June 6 at Highland Park, 45 Willow Street, Chelsea
Open to the entire Chelsea Youth Soccer Community, Soccer Field Day will feature mini soccer matches, a skills competition, inflatables, local vendors, and more. Families can learn about local soccer programs and register on-site. No pre-registration required. - Alumni Soccer Game: 10 a.m. Saturday, June 27 at Veterans Stadium, 299 Everett Ave, Chelsea
Chelsea soccer alumni ages 18 and older are invited back to the field for a friendly competition and a celebration of community pride. All are welcome, including those who attended private, vocational, or other schools. Players register by graduating year or decade and are grouped accordingly. Games are continuous 7-v-7 format beginning at 10 a.m.
