World Cup late drinking rules extended from England to Wales

The Home Office announced that the relaxation of licensing laws when Steven Gerrard’s team is playing is to be extended from England to Wales (Getty Images)

Thousands of football fans will able to drink late into the night as they roar on England’s World Cup opponents, thanks to the Home Office.

The department announced that the relaxation of licensing laws when Steven Gerrard’s team is playing is to be extended from England to Wales.

Norman Baker, the Home Office minister, said he hoped everyone would get behind the English team in Brazil next month.

But his appeal is likely to fall on deaf ears in pubs and bars across Wales as England take on Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica in the tournament’s opening group stage.

Under the Home Office move, pubs either side of the border will be allowed to open until 1am when England have evening games.

Mr Baker said: “The government has already relaxed licensing hours in England for the World Cup and some people in Wales have said they would like longer opening hours too.”