Wider licence extensions for pubs during World Cup

Wider licence extensions for pubs during World Cup49 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleCachella SmithandJohn HandGetty ImagesFans react to the men's UEFA Euro 2024 final in which Spain beat EnglandFootball fans following England or Scotland in this summer's World Cup can now count on celebrating or commiserating in the pub after more of their big matches in the knockout stages - after the government announced a further tweak to licensing rules in England and Wales.The Home Office had already ruled that pubs could open beyond their usual hours around some matches, to take account of the wide range of kick-off times at the tournament, which is being played in the US, Canada and Mexico this June and July.But in a small change, it has now confirmed that this will now apply even for matches which are screened earlier in the evening, which England and Scotland are guaranteed in their first knockout match if either wins their respective group.A previous relaxation of the licensing laws had covered most scenarios for which England or Scotland would face in the knockout rounds and the government's update only affects those two potential matches and one more in the last 16.The latest announcement means pubs can stay open until 01:00 BST for England or Scotland matches in the knockout stages that kick off between 17:00 and 21:00 and until 02:00 for kick-offs between 21:00 and 22:00.Alcohol licensing is a devolved issue in Scotland - and individual local authorities are considering their own extensions for licensed venues, dealing in particular with the knotty problem that the side's opening match against Haiti is one of the tournament's 02:00 BST kick-offs.The World Cup kicks off in June, across the various time zones in the three host nations, which are all at least five hours behind the UK.The three early evening kick-offs that could arise in the knockout stages are:If Scotland win their group they will play at 18:00 BST in Houston on Mon...