Assurances have been that Scotland's opening two World Cup games in Massachusetts will still go ahead as planed despite doubt being cast over the schedule.
Scotland aAssurances have been given that Scotland’s opening two World Cup matches in Massachusetts will still go ahead as planned, despite uncertainty surrounding the schedule.
Scotland are set to make their first World Cup appearance in 28 years and are due to face Haiti and Morocco within the space of five days at Gillette Stadium.
However, a funding dispute has cast doubt over the situation, with the town of Foxborough, where the 64,000-capacity venue is located, refusing to approve FIFA’s licence to host seven matches until it receives a $7.8 million payment.
The money is intended to cover security costs required by world football’s governing body, and the ongoing disagreement has left thousands of Scottish supporters uncertain about what will happen.
What is the latest and should Scotland fans be worried?
A meeting took place between town officials and FIFA representatives this week and ended in ill-feeling as the pair failed to come to an agreement, despite the March 17 deadline looming.
The Foxborough town board has made it clear that the games will not go ahead until all of their concerns and conditions are met, when they will then grant a licence.
With the side playing two games at the Gillette Stadium, thousands of fans are travelling over to the Boston area for the double-header and can take comfort from what the governor of Massachusetts has said in recent days.
She had addressed the concerns of fans and has insisted that she believes there is no doubt that the seven games will go ahead as planned this summer.
She said: “The World Cup’s going to happen – it is going to be in Massachusetts. It’s going to be great to have people come from all over the world and see our awesome state.
“I know that my team continues to stay in touch with local officials on all of this.”
FGG says: Scottish fans making the trip can be at ease
Although news about the town's board and FIFA currently locking horns and failing to come to a conclusion will not be what Scotland fans want to hear in the lead-up to the World Cup, they can be at ease with recent news.
It seems very likely that the games will go ahead as planned and a decision will be made before the deadline, therefore anyone making the trip to Boston can do so expecting to see their side play.
Maura Healey has assured the Tartan Army that everything will be okay and can begin to look forward to their opening World Cup games.