England fans were ‘impeccably behaved’ at the World Cup in the US, with just 22 arrests abroad – but back home, the tournament triggered the highest number of football-related arrests in the UK since Euro 2020, police chiefs said today.
Mark Roberts, head of UK Football Policing, warned that alcohol and the relaxation of licensing laws announced with only 48 hours’ notice contributed to the disturbing rise in violence. “This was the worst tournament we have seen domestically for some time, the worst since Euro 2020,” said the Cheshire Police chief constable. “That is a real concern for us as we are hosting the tournament in 2028.”
“World Cup triggers worst domestic football violence since Euro 2020, with 2,322 incidents and 391 arrests.”
A total of 2,322 incidents were reported to police during the World Cup, with 391 arrests. Domestic abuse was a real factor, Roberts said, and online abuse, typically of a racist nature, also increased. Allegations of spiking in licensed premises were reported, something the police will examine regarding violence against women and girls.
The domestic disorder came as the Home Office released its annual report on Thursday, revealing that the number of football matches in England and Wales featuring incidents reported to police reached a record 1,644 games in the 2025-26 season, a 4% increase from 1,580 the previous campaign. The Home Office said the overall increase was largely driven by the introduction of new categories: “sexism and misogyny” and “violence against women and girls”. Under those categories, 22 matches were reported for sexist behaviour and 37 for violence against women. Additionally, a new law of “unauthorised entry” led to 45 arrests.
Despite the rise in reported incidents, the total number of arrests fell to 1,695 from 1,744 in 2024-25, and a peak of 2,198 in 2021-22. The Home Office calculated there were four arrests for every 100,000 people attending a men’s football match, with the FA Cup the most likely competition for arrests. In the women’s game, that number falls to four in total.
Roberts praised England fans abroad: “The fans’ behaviour at the World Cup was really good again. We have to get rid of the outdated image of our fans based on historical behaviour.” But he contrasted that with the domestic picture: “It is a societal issue, not a footballing one. But unfortunately, this has really negative consequences.”
With England set to host the tournament in 2028, Roberts’ warning underscores the challenge ahead: how to keep the peace at home while the team thrives abroad.