Pubs across England will be allowed to stay open until 2am to screen England's last-16 World Cup tie against Mexico, after Sir Keir Starmer relaxed licensing rules. The match kicks off at 1am in Mexico City, meaning the usual 9pm and 10pm permissions would have left landlords unable to show the full game without breaking the law. The prime minister's intervention comes as Thomas Tuchel, England's manager, urged families to let their children stay up or even skip school to watch the blockbuster clash with the co-hosts.
Reports have emerged that the kick-off time itself could be moved, though no further details have been disclosed by tournament organisers. The Three Lions are preparing to face Mexico in the round of 16, with the tie scheduled for next Monday in the Mexican capital.
“Pubs in England can stay open until 2am after Starmer relaxed licensing rules for England's 1am World Cup match against Mexico.”
The announcement followed Spain's clinical 3-0 victory over Austria, which sealed their place in the last 16. Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice and Pedro Porro added a third to brush aside Ralf Rangnick's side, banishing memories of their goalless draw with Cape Verde in the opening match.
Elsewhere, Portugal and Croatia produced a dramatic encounter in the round of 32. Cristiano Ronaldo finally got on the scoresheet in a knockout match, equalising before Goncalo Ramos struck a stoppage-time winner. Croatia had a goal brutally ruled out for offside even later. Meanwhile, Switzerland face Algeria in a 4am start, with Swiss star Granit Xhaka subject to transfer speculation as Chelsea chase a deal for the Sunderland player.
For England, the focus remains on Mexico. With pubs now cleared to stay open and Tuchel's plea to parents, the nation faces a late-night dilemma: let the children stay up — or let them miss school?