Parents travelling to the United States for the 2026 World Cup have been warned they could face prison if they buy alcohol for their adult children. The legal drinking age in the US is 21, and supplying alcohol to anyone under that age is a serious offence.
An estimated 30,000 England fans are expected to attend the tournament. In Massachusetts, where England and Scotland play at Gillette Stadium, the maximum penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor is one year in jail and a $2,000 fine. In Arlington, Texas, where England face Croatia, the fine rises to $4,000.
Those convicted also risk being banned from re-entering the US. Deputy police chief Richard Noonan said: 'We have standards and procedures in place where they're required to check for identification. The strongest action we can take is arrest by law, but we don't want to do that.'
In Mexico and Canada, other host nations, the drinking age is 18 (19 in some Canadian provinces). Penalties for underage drinking there are lighter, with a maximum $500 fine or community service.
Arlington police spokesman Tim Cisco added: 'Our officers can go up to them and act if they need to be cited for underage drinking. But our primary concern is just making sure that everyone's staying safe and having fun.'
