LONDON — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has given pubs across England and Wales the go-ahead to remain open until 5 a.m. on Monday, when England faces Mexico in the round of 16 at the World Cup.
Pressure had been building since Thursday for an extension to standard licensing hours, coming just a day after England defeated Congo 2-1 in the round of 32 thanks to two late goals from captain Harry Kane.
The highly anticipated match will take place at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, with kickoff set for 1 a.m. Monday morning in the United Kingdom. If the game goes to extra time and a penalty shootout, it could wrap up close to 4 a.m. — well past the previous legal cutoff of 2 a.m. for pubs to remain open.
Starmer framed the decision with enthusiasm, saying: “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. The whole country will be backing the team. Come on England!”
Under the government’s blanket extension, individual pubs will not be required to file separate applications for the extra hours. However, the new rules apply only in England and Wales — not in Scotland or Northern Ireland.
The announcement was warmly received by the hospitality industry, with many pubs already broadcasting World Cup matches being held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, called it a sensible move. “This pragmatic approach allows venues to focus on what matters most, bringing communities together to support the national team,” he said. “Major sporting occasions like this deliver a significant boost to hospitality businesses while creating an atmosphere that unites the country.”
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, added that pubs and fans alike would be “over the moon about this decision, because we all know the best place to watch the match is down the local.”
In a separate development, the government weighed in on whether schoolchildren should be allowed to stay up late to watch the early-morning match. England’s head coach, Thomas Tuchel, had already encouraged parents to let their kids watch, saying they deserved “an excuse for school.”
Tuchel made the appeal following England’s win over Congo in Atlanta, urging parents: “Write an excuse for school and let them watch football. Come on. There’s so much school to go to, but the World Cup is every four years. Let them watch. There will be a big, big match on in four days and we need the support of everyone, and especially of the children.”
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson offered a measured response, saying: “It’s a late game, but children can be in school the next day.”
