World Cup 2026: Good news for the English fans

As the 2026 World Cup approaches, some good news has emerged for English fans.

According to the Daily Mail, English pubs could be allowed to stay open into the early hours of the morning due to the time difference and high temperatures in the United States, Mexico, and Canada—the host nations of the tournament. Kick-off times are expected to be at 5pm, 8pm, 11pm, and even 2am (UK time), far exceeding the usual opening hours of these establishments.

It should be noted that in the past, the Home Office has granted exemptions for similar events, and it is likely that the same measure will be applied this time to allow supporters to watch the matches—especially those featuring England, who are all but certain to qualify.

These kick-off times have been scheduled to avoid extreme conditions for the players, just like at the Club World Cup this summer, which drew criticism for matches held in the middle of the afternoon under nearly 40-degree heat in Los Angeles. FIFA vice-president Victor Montagliani acknowledged that “kick-off times are always an issue” and that discussions are ongoing to balance player welfare with global TV broadcasting.

Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.