England forward Harry Kane, left, and midfielder Jude Bellingham celebrate Kane's first of two goals against Democratic Republic of the Congo on Wednesday. With a 2-1 win, England advanced to face Mexico in the round of 16 Sunday.Butch Dill/The Associated Press
The big question facing England soccer fans this weekend isn’t whether their national team will beat Mexico in the round of 16 on Sunday – it’s whether children should be allowed to stay up until 3 a.m. on a school night to watch.
The game in Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium starts at 6 p.m. local time, which is 1 a.m. in England. It could last until 3 a.m. or later, depending on extra time and penalties. Most students in England are in class until July 17, meaning parents face a dilemma.
Allowing kids to watch the game means they could head to school tired on Monday morning. If they’re too exhausted and want to stay home, their parents could be fined. By law, parents can be hit with an £80 penalty, or around $152, for each child that misses a day of school without a valid excuse. The fine doubles if it isn’t paid within 21 days and the government has said the penalty won’t be waived during the World Cup.
England manager Thomas Tuchel has urged parents to take the hit.
“Write an excuse for school and let them watch football,” Mr. Tuchel said after England’s 2-1 win over the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Wednesday. “They have so much school to go to, but the World Cup is every four years. Let them watch. There will be a big, big match in four days and we need the support of everyone and especially of the children.”
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Prime Minister Keir Starmer was less supportive. “It is up to parents to make their own decisions. We want everyone to enjoy the game, but children should be at school on Monday,” he said.
Education Minister Bridget Phillipson also urged parents to get their kids to school. “I’m not going to make requests on parents around bedtime,” she told the BBC. “But please let’s try and get our kids in on Monday too.”
Several schools have announced plans to start later Monday, with some allowing students to show up at 10 a.m. “We would rather have children in school rested and ready to learn rather than tired or absent,” said a message posted on Facebook from Berwick Hills Primary School in Middlesbrough.
Greenland Community Primary School, which is south of Newcastle, said kids can come at 10 a.m. and don’t need to worry about wearing their uniforms. “Let’s make it a non-uniform day too so no stressing looking for uniform either,” the school said in a message posted on Facebook. “Whatever the result, we hope everyone enjoys the game and has a memorable evening/morning. Come on England!”
England coach Thomas Tuchel slaps palms with winger Anthony Gordon, who assisted both of Harry Kane's goals in the win over DR Congo.Jacob Kupferman/The Associated Press
The BBC is broadcasting a “no-spoiler” replay of the game that the London Colney Primary & Nursery School plans to show to students at 9 a.m. on Monday. “Please help us keep the result a secret so everyone can experience the match together,” the school wrote on Facebook.
Whipton Barton Federation near Exeter has said students can come to class in soccer shirts instead of school uniforms. “Every child in school on Monday will be automatically entered into our raffle to win one of two World Cup footballs,” the school announced on Facebook.
Parents might be at a loss about what to do with their kids, but Mr. Starmer has made it easier for adults to watch the game.
After some initial hesitation, Mr. Starmer announced on Thursday that pubs can stay open until 5 a.m. Monday. Pubs had already been granted an extension to 2 a.m. for England games during the tournament and Mr. Starmer had been reluctant to extend the closing time further. He changed his mind after England’s dramatic come-from-behind victory on Wednesday.
“Football might be coming home but we’re making sure fans don’t have to. Pubs staying open till the final whistle is good news for supporters and good news for the pubs and venues that bring our communities together,” the Prime Minister said.
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Not everyone has cheered the late closing time.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council said Mr. Starmer’s change of heart has left police forces scrambling. Some pub operators have also said they’ll have a hard time finding staff willing to work. Pub chain Wetherspoons said only five of its 800 locations will stay open that late and Greene King said around 600 of its 2,600 pubs will show the match.