England fans face World Cup rules in the US that could catch thousands out | OneFootball

The Three Lions are to be well-supported in the latest major tournament

The FIFA World Cup is now well underway following last Thursday's opening clash between joint-hosts Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, with supporters throughout the globe already witnessing plenty of drama.

This year's tournament is the 23rd edition of the game's so-called 'pinnacle', even though there has, for obvious reasons, been plenty of focus on off-pitch sagas which have affected thousands willing to support their nations in Mexico, Canada and the United States.

The main bulk of those include visa rejections and extortionate ticket costs at various venues, which England supporters have also had to part with in order to hope see Thomas Tuchel's Three Lions end a well-documented 60-year wait for an international trophy.

Tuchel took over the England job in October 2024 following the resignation of former Middlesbrough boss, Sir Gareth Southgate, after the nation's second gut-wrenching UEFA Euro final defeat at the hands of Spain in Berlin three months prior.

In the last World Cup, the Three Lions were seen as one of the favourites before losing in dramatic fashion to France at the quarter-final stage, in a game which former EFL loanee and the country's all-time leading scorer, Harry Kane, missed a late penalty to force extra-time against the eventual runners-up.

This time, England are placed in Group L of the World Cup's first-ever 48-team competition, and will do battle against Croatia, Ghana and Panama.

Unsurprisingly, they are set to be well-backed once more, but are being made aware of potentially unrealised rules, particularly in the United States.

England fans sent clear warning over previously little-known World Cup rules

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Some rules throughout this World Cup have been discussed at length, especially those effecting players on the pitch, as well as supporters, such as mandatory hydration breaks at the midway point of the first and second halves, as well as a 30-minute wait each time there is a lightning strike within an eight-mile radius of any host venue.

However, with it being reported that 65,000 Three Lions fans are set to back Tuchel and his men at the tournament, Professor Steve Greenfield told the Sun about the risks they face regarding encroaching state-based laws, which includes carrying beers on the streets of Texas, Massachusetts and New Jersey, where their group stage fixtures are played, as well as the usage of cannabis.

“I think it’s the expectation that it’s one culture," said Greenfield.

“We’ve got three different countries, but within the USA, it’s a state-based system, with lots of different cultures and laws that may be applicable within different states.

“There’s always a danger that we assume that because it’s one country that everything will be the same.”

In the United States, the drinking age is also 21, but it has also been stated that those of a much older age could still be refused alcohol if they refuse to provide the required age-related documentation.

Meanwhile, FIFA have also made a change when it comes to bringing in water bottles to stadiums due to heat, and they are now banned.

England fans will hope to enjoy successful World Cup despite rules and price concerns

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At this point, there has already been plenty of controversy at the World Cup, which included a reported heist of England's training equipment, as well as boots which belonged to the likes of former Birmingham City academy graduate, Jude Bellingham.

Such equipment has since returned to their Kansas training base, and now attention is swiftly turning to the Group L opener against Croatia at Dallas Stadium, which, on Sunday, hosted the Netherlands' 2-2 draw with Japan, which included a smart finish from West Ham United winger, Crysencio Summerville.

It has also been reported that England fans could be forced to pay way more for food and drink in Texas than in Massachusetts and New Jersey, but at this point, all that is really on the minds of the squad, Tuchel and the millions of fans Stateside or back in England is getting off to a winning start.