The UK government has launched a consultation on plans to extend pub licensing hours in England and Wales for the knockout stage matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, should any of the home nations qualify. The proposal, announced by the Home Office, would allow pubs to remain open until 1 AM on the day of such matches.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Due to time zone differences, many matches are expected to be broadcast in the UK during late evening hours. The government states the measure aims to support the hospitality sector and allow fans to watch games in a regulated environment.
The consultation specifically covers England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland's potential knockout games. The final tournament draw has not yet been conducted, so the specific group stage opponents mentioned in the source article are unverified and have been omitted. The consultation will run until 14 April 2026.
Similar temporary licensing relaxations were implemented for the 2014 and 2022 World Cups. A final decision will be made following the consultation's conclusion and will depend on the qualification and progress of the home nations.
