Ahead of England’s opening World Cup match against Croatia at 9pm British time, fans are gathering in pubs and bars to watch the game. One report says industry figures expect a rise in demand for beer and forecast that an additional 5 million pints will be sold for the match. The coverage frames the event as part of a wider atmosphere building around England’s campaign, with supporters preparing to watch “Three Lions” coverage across local venues rather than only at stadiums. The match features England under head coach Thomas Tuchel, taking on Croatia in the tournament opener. The reporting focuses on expected hospitality and consumption figures tied to the kickoff time, indicating that venues anticipate heightened footfall and sales as the evening game approaches. No other details about match conditions, team news, or tournament outcomes are included in the provided accounts.