Can you watch every England World Cup 2026 match in a pub?

With World Cup 2026 just two months away, excitement is building ahead of what promises to be a unique tournament across North America.

Given the exorbitant price of tickets – not to mention the cost of travelling – may fans that would have loved to head across the Atlantic to catch the World Cup finals in person will be watching along on TV instead.

Fortunately, there is one sure way to get a sense of atmosphere on matchdays – watch the games at a pub! However, considering the time zone difference, that could be easier said than done, with fixtures kicking off at different times than we are used to in the UK.

With that in mind, the government have relaxed the closing times for pubs in order to allow supporters to cheer on both England and Scotland in late kick-offs.

Given the altered rules, can you even watch every Three Lions World Cup 2026 game in a pub? Read on as Football Ground Guide covers all you need to know.

Group Stage:

England World Cup 2026 Group Stage (UK time):

• England vs Croatia: June 17, Dallas (9:00pm)
• England vs Ghana: June 23, Boston (9:00pm)
• Panama vs England: June 27, New York-New Jersey (10:00pm)

For Group Stage matches, the usual 11:00pm closing time remains for pubs in England, meaning that the 9pm kick offs against Croatia and Ghana on June 17 and June 23 will be able to be enjoyed at the pub.

However, the final group clash against Panama on June 27 starts at 10pm and ends after 11:00pm.

The World Cup groups in full 🍿 Who's excited? 🤩 pic.twitter.com/syqrnc9iLp

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) April 1, 2026

Routes to the final:

If England win Group L (UK time):

• Round of 32 – Match 80: Wednesday, July 1, Atlanta, USA (5:00pm)
• Round of 16 – Match 92: Monday, July 6, Mexico City, Mexico (1:00am)  
• Quarter-final – Match 99: Saturday, July 11, Miami, USA (10:00pm)
• Semi-final – Match 102: Wednesday, July 15, Atlanta, USA (8:00pm)

The UK government's rules on pub closing times have been amended for World Cup knockout games involving either England or Scotland.

In simple terms, this means that fans will be able to stay in pubs until 1:00am for knockout matches kicking off between 5:00pm and 9:00pm, and until 2:00am for those kicking off between 9:00pm and 10:00pm.

Should England top Group L, then fans would be able to stay in the pub until 1:00am for the round of 32 fixture on July 1 and the semi-final on July 15. Supporters may also stay in the pub until 2:00am for the quarter-final on July 11.

Unfortunately, the round of 16 tie kicks off at 1:00am on July 6 on this route and falls outside the bounds of the new relaxed timings as a result.

If England are Group L runners-up (UK time):

• Round of 32 – Match 83: Friday, July 3, Toronto, Canada (12:00am)
• Round of 16 – Match 93: Monday, July 6, Arlington, USA (8:00pm)
• Quarter-final – Match 98: Friday, July 10, Los Angeles, USA (8:00pm)
• Semi-final – Match 101: Tuesday, July 14, Arlington, USA (8:00pm)

Should England finish second in Group L, then their round of 32 game will not fit into the new guidelines either, given that it kicks off at 12am.

Thankfully, the round of 16, quarter-final and semi-final all kick off at 8:00pm on this route, meaning that fans will be allowed to stay in their pub of choice until 1:00am on July 6, July 10 and July 14.

World Cup 2026 Third Place Playoff (UK time):

• Third Place Playoff – Match 103: Saturday, July 18, Miami, USA (10:00pm)

If Thomas Tuchel's side fall short and end up in the Third Place Playoff on July 18, fans will able to stay in the pub until 2:00am.

World Cup 2026 Final (UK time):

• Final – Match 104: Sunday, July 19, New Jersey, USA (8:00pm)

The 2026 World Cup final kicking off at 8:00pm will enable supporters to stay at the pub until 1:00am, either celebrating or commiserating with fellow Three Lions fans on what could be a night to remember for England.

Which England World Cup 2026 games fall outside pub opening times?

Group Stage:

• Panama vs England – June 27, New York-New Jersey (10:00pm)

Knockouts:

Group L winners route:

• Round of 16 – Match 92: Monday, July 6, Mexico City, Mexico (1:00am)  

Group L runners-up route:

• Round of 32 – Match 83: Friday, July 3, Toronto, Canada (12:00am)