The UKFPU logged a record 384 domestic abuse reports tied to the 2026 World Cup in England and Wales, out of 2,322 tournament-related incidents. Ninety-three percent of incidents were associated with England matches, peaking in the quarter-final with Norway and the semi-final against Argentina. Extended venue opening hours — including a 5am closing after a delayed Mexico match — are under scrutiny, and police leaders are calling for early licensing talks ahead of Euro 2028.
World Cup Fallout: Record 384 Domestic Abuse Reports In England And Wales
Pubs and bars were allowed to stay open later for some of England's knockout matches - Victor Medina/Reuters
The UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) recorded a record 384 domestic abuse reports linked to the 2026 World Cup in England and Wales, part of 2,322 football-related incident reports logged across the tournament.
Of those reports, 93% were associated with England matches, with the number of incidents peaking during the quarter-final against Norway and the semi-final versus Argentina. While England fans who travelled to the United States and Mexico were widely praised for "exemplary" behaviour — with just 22 incidents abroad resulting in police action — the domestic picture was more concerning.
Venues in England and Wales were permitted to remain open later for England's knockout fixtures. For the last-16 victory over Mexico, which was delayed from a 1am to a 2am UK kick-off because of weather, pubs and bars were authorised to stay open until 5am. Police leaders say those extended licensing hours are being examined as a contributing factor to the rise in incidents.
Mark Roberts, the National Police Chiefs' Council lead for football policing, urged politicians and licensing authorities to consider the wider public-safety consequences when setting licensing policy for major tournaments.
"I have no doubt that organisationally, police-wise, it's going to be a really safe tournament and it's going to be a great event," Roberts said. "That said, we're not going to be complacent. We're flagging these issues now because we shouldn't be formulating a licensing policy 48 hours before the game. We need to have that conversation now, and make sure that we're really clear, we've got good assumptions in place, and then we can work around it."
Police reported several serious incidents following matches with extended hours. In separate episodes after the Argentina defeat and the Norway win, two men were stabbed at licensed premises. On another occasion, supporters surrounded a police station, throwing bottles and other objects at officers and mounting police vehicles.
The UKFPU has said it wants to continue conversations about licensing and crowd safety ahead of the UK co-hosting Euro 2028, urging earlier planning and clearer assumptions on how late-opening venues may affect crime and public order.
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