Football-related domestic abuse incidents in England and Wales reached their highest recorded levels for a men’s major tournament during the 2026 World Cup.There were 384 domestic abuse incidents reported to the UK Football Policing Unit, higher than each of the past two World Cups and European Championships. Domestic abuse represented 17 per cent of the incidents reported to the UKFPU during the tournament, in which England finished third after losing to Argentina in the semi-final.Though the UKFPU praised the behaviour of England fans who travelled to the U.S. and Mexico as “exemplary”, with only 22 incidents resulting in police actions, the domestic picture was very different. The total 2,322 incidents reported to the UKFPU during the tournament exceeds every comparator tournament except Euro 2020, which took place in the summer of 2021.
Recorded incidents across tournaments 2018 World CupEuro 20202022 World CupEuro 20242026 World CupDomestic abuse306193119351384Hate crimes4384294152Online hate crimesN/A3968486293At licensed premises73812622576221,008
Ninety-three per cent of reported incidents were linked to an England fixture, peaking with England’s quarter-final against Norway and semi-final against Argentina.
