The government has confirmed that pubs and bars in England and Wales will be allowed to extend their opening hours by 30 minutes after the final whistle if England's World Cup quarter-final against Norway is delayed. The match, scheduled for a 10pm BST kick-off in Miami, faces potential disruption from thunderstorms and heavy rain forecast in Florida.
Delay Contingency Plan
Thomas Tuchel's side is set to face Norway in the quarter-finals. However, weather conditions could cause a delay similar to the round of 16 match against Mexico, which was pushed back by an hour due to lightning at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. To ensure fans can watch the entire match, the government has agreed to extend licensing hours until 30 minutes after the final whistle, covering potential delays, extra-time, and penalty shootouts.
Government Confirmation
According to a government spokesperson, the extension applies automatically if the match is delayed. This means fans in England and Wales will not miss any action due to pub closing times. The measure is designed to support fans and hospitality venues during the tournament.
