The Football Spectators (2026 FIFA World Cup Control Period) Order 2026

Made: 27th January 2026

Laid before Parliament: 29th January 2026

Coming into force: 21st February 2026

The Secretary of State makes this Order in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 14(6) and 22A(2) of the Football Spectators Act 1989[^f00001].

The Secretary of State considers that the provision made by article 2 of this Order is expedient in order to secure the effective enforcement of Part 2 of that Act.

Citation, commencement, extent and interpretation

1

• (1) This Order may be cited as the Football Spectators (2026 FIFA World Cup Control Period) Order 2026 and comes into force on 21st February 2026.

• (2) This Order extends to England and Wales.

• (3) In this Order—

• “the 1989 Act” means the Football Spectators Act 1989;

• “The Tournament” means the external tournament[^f00002] known as the 2026 FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association)[^f00003] World Cup in the United States of America, Mexico and Canada.

Beginning of control period

2

Section 14(6) of the 1989 Act (main definitions: control period in relation to an external tournament) has effect in relation to the Tournament as if, for the reference to five days, there were substituted a reference to ten days.

Control Period

3

• (1) In relation to the Tournament, the period described in paragraph (2) is the control period for the purposes of Part 2 of the 1989 Act.

• (2) The period is the period beginning on 1st June 2026, being ten days before the day of the first football match which is included in the Tournament, and ending when the last football match included in the Tournament is finished or cancelled (which, subject to scheduling amendment, is due to be on 19th July 2026).

Signed

Sarah Jones — Minister of State — Home Office — 27th January 2026

Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Order)

Explanatory Note

This Order prescribes the control period under the Football Spectators Act 1989 (c. 37) (“the 1989 Act”) for the 2026 FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) World Cup in the United States of America, Mexico and Canada. The control period begins on 1st June 2026, which is ten days before the first match in the tournament, and ends when the last match in the tournament is finished or cancelled. The last match is due to be played on 19th July 2026.

During the control period, powers under sections 21A and 21B of the 1989 Act (summary powers to detain and refer to a court with a view to making a banning order) are exercisable. Individuals subject to a banning order may be required to surrender their passports during a control period under section 19 of the 1989 Act. In addition, bail conditions can be imposed on individuals requiring them to surrender their passports during a control period under section 14A (banning orders made on conviction of an offence) and section 14B (banning orders made on a complaint) of the 1989 Act.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private or voluntary sector or community bodies is foreseen.

Footnotes

[^f00001]: 1989 c. 37. Section 14 was substituted by paragraph 2 of Schedule 1 to the Football (Disorder) Act 2000 (c. 25). Subsection (6) was substituted by section 103(1) and (2)(a) of the Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26). Section 22A was substituted by paragraph 18 of Schedule 2 to the Football (Disorder) Act 2000 (c. 25). There are other amendments to sections 14 and 22A not relevant to this Order.

[^f00002]: “External Tournament” is defined in section 14(3) of the Football Spectators Act 1989. Section 14(3) was substituted by section 103(1) of the Policing and Crime Act 2009.

[^f00003]: Fédération Internationale de Football Association is an organisation entered in the register of companies under the Swiss civil code with registered number CHE-107.301.064, and address FIFA-Strasse 20, 8044 Zürich, Switzerland.