A decision to allow pubs to remain open until 5 a.m. for World Cup matches exacerbated violent incidents, according to a leading police chief. Approximately 2,322 football-related incidents were recorded by police forces across England and Wales during the tournament, with 43% occurring within licensed premises.

This represents a 78% increase compared to the 1,302 incidents recorded during Euro 2024, an event where pub closing times were not altered. Chief Constable Mark Roberts, the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) football lead, stated that the government's licensing approach contributed to the rise in violence.

"The increased hours did lead to more issues," Roberts said. "The extension of licensing laws needs to be done with some thought, and it needs to take a broad-based view of the consequences as well as the benefits of blanket relaxations in the legislation."

Roberts specifically cited the decision to extend licensing for England's Round of 16 match against Mexico, which was made only 48 hours before the game. This late notice, he explained, left police forces with insufficient time to reschedule staff and implement necessary measures.

"The draw was made on December 5, 2025. The decision to change licensing laws for that fixture, which was eminently foreseeable, was 48 hours before the game itself, which left forces with no time to re-roster teams, bring people on, give people notice or take other measures."

Incidents of domestic abuse also reached a record high during the World Cup, with 384 football-related incidents reported to police. This figure is a 9% increase from Euro 2024 and a 223% rise compared to the 2022 World Cup. Roberts described these figures as "depressing."

Roberts attributed the increase in domestic abuse and overall incidents largely to excessive alcohol consumption, with the football matches serving as a catalyst. "This is driven largely by alcohol consumption, I would say, and drugs. The football becomes the catalyst for people to go and have excessive alcohol, etc.," he stated. "I think some of the licensing approach exacerbated that, so I think we need to reflect on that, take stock, rely on the procedures that we have to support the hospitality trade, but keep the balance right as well with public safety."

There was also a notable increase in the volume and severity of incidents as England progressed in the tournament. Five hundred and seventy-five incidents were recorded around the match against Argentina alone. Specific incidents included a man being stabbed after leaving a licensed premises following a game and a strangulation incident involving a stepfather and stepson after England's match against Norway.

In total, 391 arrests were made during the tournament, the highest figure for comparable tournaments excluding Euro 2020. In contrast, the behavior of England fans who traveled to the US and Mexico was noted as exemplary, with only 22 arrests made by local police.

Additional statistics revealed 293 online hate crime incidents were recorded across England and Wales during the World Cup. For the 2025/26 football season, 1,644 incidents were reported to police, a 4% increase from the previous year. A particular concern highlighted by Roberts is the rising involvement of young supporters, with incidents involving this demographic increasing by 120% in the past year.