NewsUK NewsWorld Cup 2026The United States has refused to pay for experienced England police "spotters" to come to World Cup to help manage hooligan supporters13:31, 21 May 2026England will have just three UK police officers working with fans at the World Cup in the US - compared to forty at the Euros in Germany two years ago.‌The United States has refused point blank to fund bringing the experienced “spotters” over. The British authorities have just made the decision to pay for the three officers to fly over to help police the 20,000 England fans expected inside the stadiums.‌Chief Constable Mark Roberts said: “It is what it is.” He added: “We want our people out there. We would have liked more of our people out there - it’s not a scare story but we’d have liked more. We will do the best we can.”‌READ MORE: World Cup fears of ICE raids grow while England stay at their US HQ next monthREAD MORE: Every 2026 World Cup squad in full as France, Brazil and Portugal submit final listsAt recent tournaments in Qatar, Russia, France and Germany the host nations paid for experienced British officers to fly over. The US has decided on different tactics and will handle all the security themselves."Spotters" play a crucial role in identifying potential hooligans for local police and stamping out problems before they escalate into full scale trouble. Roberts, the National Police Chiefs Council Lead for football, said: “This one is a different system. The States aren’t funding mobile units.‌"There will be our lead officer and two others. It’s a significant change. That’s the basic arrangement. It’s limiting the number of officers we can get out there. England will be one of the few countries who have a mobile delegation. In Germany we had 40 officers - working with federal and state police.”‌He added: “Our primary aim is to keep British nationals safe. Our fans at World Cups are well behaved.” He listed success rates at recent tournaments for comparison:Qatar: 7,000 England fans travelled - no arrests no incidents at all.Russia: 5,000 went - three offences for “minor stuff.”Brazil: 9,000 went 24 arrests for “minor stuff” - 13 for ticket toutsSouth Africa: 14,000 - 24 arrests for minor offencesArticle continues belowHe said: “Our fans did us proud, We are expecting the same at this World Cup. We are anticipating more issues domestically than in the States.”Supt Gareth Parkin, Head of the UK delegation, said: “We haven’t got an official invite or funding Clearly we’d like to send a larger delegation. We will have to deploy to where we will feel is best. We will work closely with the local police forces."Thomas Concannon of the Football Supporters Association said: “It’s going to be different - we are used to working in a certain way. We have just got to make the best of it. We will look at all the pinch points that might occur. We will have a 24 hour a day service for our fans We’ve been to the venues."Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌England football teamPoliceFootball fansTicket toutsFIFA World CupWorld Cup 2026