Hundreds of pubs will close for England World Cup game despite opening hour extension

Many pubs are expected to close for England’s World Cup match against Mexico despite the government permitting them to stay open until 5am.

Sir Keir Starmer announced on Thursday that pubs across England and Wales will be able to stay open late for the round of 16 match, which kicks off at 1am on Monday.

MPs had called for leeway beyond the 2am extended pub opening hours already in place for England matches during the football World Cup.

The blanket ruling means individual pubs do not need to apply for a license to extend their hours.

However, some pub owners have said staffing issues mean they won’t be open for the game at all. Boozers in some residential areas will also shut as usual.

A spokesperson for Wetherspoons said only five of the franchise’s 800 pubs will be open for the match.

But Greene King, which operates 2,600 drinking spots, restaurants and hotels nationwide, said over 600 of its pubs across England would be staying open late to show the match.

Tommy Higgs, co-owner of The Three Horseshoes pub in Witney, Oxfordshire, said they would not be opening for the England match.

Speaking to LBC, he said: ‘We’re in a built-up community around here, and I think it’s just a little bit disrespectful for our locals to have that sort of noise at 5am.

‘No one’s going to want to work until five in the morning. We’re not a nightclub, we’re a local pub in a small town, and I am not allowed to annoy my neighbors because I’ll be into holy hell with that.’

Andrew Gallagher, brand and marketing director at Greene King, said: ‘We’re delighted to have been granted permission to stay open late as England progress through the tournament.

‘There’s nothing quite like the atmosphere in our pubs and it gives fans the chance to come together, soak up the occasion and hopefully celebrate!

‘We know this will be a popular match, so urge guests to secure their spot as soon as possible.’

England will face Mexico in the last 16 after beating the Democratic Republic of the Congo 2-1 on Wednesday.