UK pubs be taught closing occasions if England vs Norway World Cup match is pushed again
Beer shall flow in the UK for England’s World Cup quarter-final clash against Norway in Miami
England fans will gather tonight for the Three Lions’ clash against Norway in the 2026 World Cup(Image: Alishia Abodunde, Getty Images)
Pubs and bars in England will be permitted to remain open for 30 minutes beyond the final whistle should the World Cup quarter-final showdown against Norway face delays. Thomas Tuchel’s squad take on the Scandinavians this evening in Miami.
Currently, the fixture is set to get underway at 10pm BST. Nevertheless, thunderstorms and torrential rain have been predicted across Florida, which could lead to the match being halted.
The Three Lions’ last 16 triumph over Mexico had to be pushed back by an hour due to lightning at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. Should lightning wreak havoc ahead of the Norway encounter, pubs will be granted permission to extend their trading hours.
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The government has agreed to prolong licensing hours until 30 minutes following the final whistle. This means, even with a potential delay, extra-time and a penalty shootout, punters across England and Wales will be able to witness all the drama from their local.
It’s not the first occasion the current government have made a last-minute call on pub opening times to accommodate the World Cup. They were permitted to stay open until 5am for the thrilling triumph over Mexico in the last 16, reports the Mirror.
The latest extension provides pubs and bars screening the football with some much-needed flexibility. The 10pm kick-off time could easily become something far later, should adverse weather conditions strike.
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According to Accuweather, temperatures are expected to reach a peak of 33C an hour before kick-off with a ‘Real Feel’ exceeding 40C, while the likelihood of precipitation has been put at 50 per cent.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) stipulates that fixtures must be suspended if lightning or electrical activity is spotted within an eight-mile radius of the venue.
For a match to resume, there must be no lightning strikes within the same radius for 30 minutes. Should this condition be met, supporters are permitted to return to their seats in the stands and players emerge for a 15-minute warm-up.
FIFA has previously stated, per The Athletic: “FIFA’s emergency preparedness team meets regularly with national meteorological and emergency management authorities in the United States, Canada and Mexico, as well as with partners across all 16 host cities.
“A comprehensive, tournament-wide preparedness exercise focusing on severe weather scenarios has further strengthened cross-agency coordination and operational readiness. Stadiums are required to maintain robust risk management and evacuation procedures, including lightning and severe weather protocols aligned with local legislation and international best practice.”
The victors between England and Norway will meet either Argentina or Switzerland in the semi-final. The latter pair kick off just hours after the Three Lions and the Nordics, with their encounter scheduled to commence at 2am (BST).
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