UK police link rise in domestic violence to 2026 World Cup
British authorities reported an unprecedented rise in domestic violence and football-related incidents during the 2026 World Cup, highlighting the impact of extended bar hours.
Mark Roberts, head of the UK's football policing unit, has warned of an unprecedented increase in reported incidents during the 2026 World Cup. Official figures suggest that the tournament, combined with extended alcohol licensing hours, led to a significant rise in domestic violence and general public order offences across the country.
During the night of England's match against Norway, police recorded approximately 300 incidents of domestic abuse. In total, there were 384 such cases throughout the tournament, accounting for 17 per cent of the 2,322 football-related incidents logged. Authorities also processed 391 arrests linked to the competition.
The more alcohol is consumed, the bigger the problem. Domestic abuse cases fall into that bracket too. Mark Roberts
Roberts highlighted a direct correlation between the last-minute extension of pub opening hours—sometimes granted just 48 hours before kick-off—and the spike in incidents. He noted that such short notice prevents police from effectively rescheduling shifts or deploying sufficient resources to manage potential threats.
Comparatively, domestic violence reports at recent tournaments have fluctuated, with 306 cases in 2018, 193 in 2020, 119 in 2022, and 351 in 2024. Despite the issues back home, Roberts praised the behaviour of England fans who travelled to the United States, reporting that incident numbers there remained very low.