Pubs across England and Wales will be allowed to stay open until 05:00 on Monday to allow football fans to watch England’s FIFA World Cup 2026 clash with Mexico.
“In a boost for pubs, bars and football fans… alcohol licensing hours will be extended for Sunday night’s match which kicks off at 01:00,” the UK prime minister’s office said on Thursday.
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‘Coming home’
After England made it into the last 16 in the World Cup, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “Football might be coming home, but we’re making sure fans don’t have to.
“Pubs staying open till the final whistle is good news for supporters and good news for the pubs and venues that bring our communities together.”
Captain Harry Kane scored twice on Wednesday to rescue England from the brink of a humiliating World Cup exit, defeating the Democratic Republic of Congo 2-1 in a nail-biting match in Atlanta.
Kane’s crew are now preparing for a daunting trip to take on Mexico on their home turf in the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Sunday.
Allow kids to stay up
England manager Thomas Tuchel has already made the case for parents to allow their kids to stay up to watch the match, even though it’s a school night.
“Write an excuse for school and let them watch football,” Tuchel urged after his team’s victory.
“There’s so much school to go to, but the World Cup is every four years. Let them watch… we need the support of everyone, and especially of the children.”
However, the Starmer’s office said “kids should be in school on Monday”.
“The PM has his usual packed schedule on Monday, so he’ll be facing the same dilemma as everyone else on whether to stay up.”
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