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The Foreign Office has issued a caution to England and Scotland football supporters travelling to the United States for the World Cup, warning that they could face arrest for holding an open can or pint of beer in public.

Tens of thousands of British fans are expected to travel across the US for matches and sightseeing, despite the steep costs of tickets, accommodation, and travel.

In most American states, there are strict or partial “open container” laws that prohibit drinking alcohol—or even carrying an open alcoholic beverage—in public areas such as streets, parks, and other communal spaces.

These laws are particularly tough in major cities like New York, where drinking in public is strictly banned.

The World Cup, which will take place from Thursday, June 11 to July 19, is expected to attract large numbers of visitors who may be unaware of these restrictions. The Foreign Office has therefore highlighted the issue in its official travel guidance for fans attending matches in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

The advisory notes: “The laws relating to the purchase and consumption of alcohol and drugs can differ between states and countries. The national legal age for buying alcohol across the US is 21.”

It further adds: “It is illegal in many parts of the US to have an ‘open container’ of alcohol in public places, including on the street or in a vehicle. You should check and follow local state and city laws, as penalties can include fines or arrest.”

The likelihood of arrest increases if individuals are intoxicated and behaving disorderly in public, with fines varying from state to state.

England’s first game, against Croatia, will be played on June 17 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, near Dallas, Texas. The City of Dallas has clear regulations stating that “Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in the park, public street, sidewalks and parking areas adjacent to the park,” with similar restrictions across other parts of the city.

Captain Harry Kane and Jordan Henderson were seen training in West Palm Beach, Florida, on June 5, 2026, as part of England’s preparation for the tournament.

Following that, England will face Ghana on June 23 at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, near Boston, Massachusetts. Boston University advises its students that it is illegal to consume alcohol in public spaces such as “sidewalks, streets, parks, and so on.”

England’s third group-stage match will be against Panama on June 27 at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, close to New York City. Local health authorities in New York emphasise that “open container” laws strictly prohibit public drinking and consumption of alcohol in vehicles.

Meanwhile, Scotland will play two matches at the Gillette Stadium—against Haiti on June 14 and Morocco on June 19—before facing Brazil at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on June 24. In Miami, the “open container law” generally applies to streets, sidewalks, parks, beaches, and other public spaces, although specific exemptions exist in certain areas.

For fans travelling across the US, public drinking regulations can be complex and vary widely by jurisdiction. According to a 2023 report by digital media company Vinepar, which specialises in reporting on alcohol-related issues, states such as Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Hawaii enforce strict statewide bans on public alcohol consumption.

Arizona, for instance, is among the states with a comprehensive law prohibiting drinking in public spaces.

Other states have more nuanced regulations, where no statewide ban exists but various local restrictions and exceptions apply. These exceptions often depend on geography—such as designated entertainment zones—or specific conditions like the type of area, alcohol content, or time of day. States with such mixed regulations include Alaska, Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Ohio, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, and Mississippi.

Similarly, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Dakota, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, and Wyoming follow different combinations of restrictions and allowances.

The Foreign Office’s guidance further advises fans on issues such as purchasing tickets from authorised sources, obtaining appropriate visas, having travel insurance, attending fan zones, and preparing for extreme weather conditions during the tournament.