After a drawn-out debacle caused by funding disagreements, Boston—or more accurately, Foxborough, Massachusetts—finally agreed to authorize a license to host seven matches. And they are some big ones: England v. Ghana and Norway v. France, to name a couple.

That’s good news for neighboring Rhode Island. America’s smallest state contains multitudes in its 1,033 square miles, not to mention its proximity to Boston. When the Patriots play, it accommodates 40% of traveling fans. For this World Cup, Providence is a pretty convenient stop along the Amtrak corridor.

So Ocean State 2026 was formed to host “39 days of soccer summer” comprising regional fan zones, cultural events, and business sponsorships. They’ve already pulled through with an Airbnb partnership with a $250,000 investment. And Providence will host Ghana at its training facilities at Bryant University, the only FIFA-approved base camp in all of New England.

Talib spoke with Liz Tanner, Rhode Island’s former Secretary of Commerce, who is heading up the initiative.

00:00 Intro

04:17 Meet Liz Tanner

05:13 What Is Ocean State 2026

07:33 Beaches, Food, And Culture

09:06 Sponsorship Model Explained

11:06 Diasporas And Soccer Roots

12:05 Airbnb Partnership

13:23 Using Rhode Island As Base

15:16 Culture Tours And Festivals

16:27 Ghana Base Camp Spotlight

18:54 Ghana Trip And Team Logistics

20:00 Welcoming The World

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