British pubs may enjoy extended opening hours during the World Cup 2026, but only if England’s national team progresses beyond the quarter-finals. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood recently announced plans to relax licensing regulations for pubs in England and Wales, allowing fans more time to celebrate and watch the Three Lions in action across the US, Mexico, and Canada-hosted tournament.
The initiative aims to align pub closing times with later match kick-offs, ensuring that supporters won’t have to cut their celebrations short. Speaking to The Sun, Mahmood said, “With later kick-offs at this year’s World Cup, we don’t want pubs to blow the final whistle before the winning goal. So we’re showing red tape the red card and taking pub hours to extra-time.”
Emma McClarkin, CEO of the British Beer and Pub Association, welcomed the move, describing it as “a win for pubs, jobs and community spirit.”
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This proposed policy reflects the government’s commitment to supporting local businesses and fostering a lively World Cup atmosphere, but the extended hours will depend entirely on England’s performance in the tournament.