Law enforcement officials have expressed concern over the government’s decision to permit pubs to remain open until 05:00 BST on Monday for England’s World Cup encounter with Mexico. The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) stated that the late notification on Thursday forces them to reassign officers and organize overtime shifts unexpectedly.
The NPCC emphasized that the tournament schedule has been public knowledge for a long time, making the sudden policy shift difficult to manage. Police are urging fans to drink responsibly, noting that high-stakes elimination matches historically correlate with spikes in domestic abuse and violent incidents in the nightlife sector. Authorities intend to collaborate with venues to maintain safety throughout the event.
Although the government previously ruled out further extensions to licensing hours, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer reversed this stance on Thursday. The match, which begins at 01:00, will likely last until at least 03:00, or later if the game proceeds to penalties. Major pub chains like Greene King and Marston’s plan to host thousands of customers for the event.
In response to the late kickoff, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) is encouraging employers to permit flexible working hours on Monday. Meanwhile, England manager Thomas Tuchel has suggested that children should be allowed to stay up to watch the game, and the National Education Union is similarly advocating for flexible start times in schools to accommodate students watching the match.
