Police figures reported by UK Football Policing authorities show domestic abuse reports reach record levels during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. A total of 384 domestic abuse incidents were recorded during the tournament, accounting for 17% of 2,322 incidents reported over the competition. Sky Sports and other outlets report that most reports occur around England’s matches, with 93% of domestic abuse reports linked to those game days. Police also say the number of incidents peaks after England’s defeats, with the tournament described as among the worst on record for domestic abuse reporting. The reported volume is higher than previous comparable tournaments, with only Euro 2020 (played in 2021) showing more incidents.
Football Policing National Lead Chief Constable Mark Roberts attributes the spike primarily to alcohol, saying most incidents are associated with alcohol consumption. Police also note increased violence around pubs and licensed venues during the tournament. Roberts criticises a decision to extend pub licensing hours shortly before England’s match against Mexico, saying it limited police preparation and deployment time.
