Do YOU have a story? Email isabella.machin@dailymail.co.uk See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy ISABELLA MACHIN, REPORTER and ALISTAIR GRANT Published: 11:05 BST, 30 June 2026 | Updated: 11:06 BST, 30 June 2026
Loyal football fans across the country are expected to leave work early tomorrow to cheer on England as the team takes on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). The descent of millions of supporters to a TV screen is predicted to see 3.5 million gallons of beer, or 28 million pints, consumed from the 5pm kick-off.Workers are set to abandon desks and meetings to head to the pub or dash home to watch England's first World Cup 2026 knockout match, as the race drops to the last 32 countries. It is the first time UK fans will benefit from a 1am nationwide late licensing extension, which will see pub doors kept open from 11pm to 1am.The extra two-hour drinking window, as predicted by British Beer and Pub Association, will see 14 million pints pulled in pubs and 14 million more pints drunk at home while England battles it out. Meanwhile, experts predict, some staff will go further and pull a sicky on 'Bunk Off Wednesday', and dedicate their whole day to a boozing bender. Tomorrow night's game follows England's 2-0 victory against Panama on Saturday night, with thanks to goals scored by captain Harry Kane and midfielder Jude Bellingham. Elsewhere, Monday night saw Germany's first-ever World Cup penalty shootout defeat - losing to Paraguay and the nation's 450-1 odds to win the trophy. England fans celebrate at Ultra Warehouse Derby as England scores against Panama on Saturday night Supporters celebrate after Jude Bellingham's goal as they watch a screening of the match at Depot Mayfield, Manchester Fans jumped onto the tables as they celebrated an England victory on Saturday night Meanwhile Morocco secured the win over the Netherlands, prompting the latter's swift elimination from the tournament. The UK Government's blanket licensing extension allows all 35,000 pubs in Britain to stay open until 1am for England's knockout matches, which kick-off between 5pm and 9pm. England's hopeful triumph over the DR Congo will push Thomas Tuchel's men into the last-16, where they will face either Mexico or Ecuador in Mexico City next Monday morning.With a 1am start, the game could run as late as 4am if penalties come into play. However, dreams of a bank holiday hinged on England's victory were crushed this week.A spokesperson for the Prime Minister told reporters on Monday there was 'no plan' for a bank holiday if England beat the DR Congo.The DR Congo, with a global ranking of 41, finished third in Group K and are top of the third-place table. Mike Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, which represents pubs and other venues, said: 'A 5pm kick-off on Wednesday means pubs will be packed from the afternoon, with the later licensing hours meaning pubs can make the most of what could be one of the biggest trading nights of the year.'Thousands of extra pints will be pulled in bars. It's a vital boost to takings at a time when many venues desperately need the additional revenue.'Alan Price, CEO at BrightHR, which monitors absence among over a million employees at over 50,000 UK companies, said: 'With a 5pm kick-off for the England game, it looks like "Bunk Off Wednesday". England secured a 2-0 victory against Panama on Saturday night, with thanks to Harry Kane (pictured) and Jude Bellingham 'Businesses should expect a slowdown from mid-afternoon as millions of employees stop work early to get to the pub or back home in time for the match.'And employers are likely to see an influx of sickness absences as some staff are tempted by a whole afternoon in the pub before the game.'
