Starmer extends pub hours for England vs Mexico

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed that pubs in England and Wales will be able to extend their license until 5am (local time) for the 2026 World Cup round of 16 match between England and Mexico, whose kick-off is scheduled for 1am. This measure responds directly to the logistics of the match at the Mexico City Stadium, where the time difference threatened to truncate the celebrations or force fans to choose between sleeping and supporting the team. By relaxing closing times for this specific date, the government seeks to ensure that venues operate safely and profitably, absorbing the massive demand expected for a knockout phase.