World Cup: England and Scotland fans warned they risk arrest in US over holding a pint or open can in public | OneFootball

Exclusive: The Foreign Office has issued a warning to England and Scotland supporters over America’s ‘open container’ laws on drinking in public

England and Scotland fans heading to the World Cup have been warned by the Government that they could be arrested for holding a pint of beer or open can in public in America.

Most states in America have strict or partial “open container” laws which ban drinking, or even having an open can, in the street, parks and other public places.

Strict laws on drinking in public apply in New York

PA

But many fans going to the World Cup, which runs from Thursday June 11 to July 19, may not be aware of the regulations.

So the Foreign Office has highlighted the issue in its guidance for the World Cup being staged in America, Mexico and Canada.

The guidance then stresses: “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.”

Arrest is more likely if individuals are drunk and disorderly in public and the level of fines vary by state.

England’s first game against Croatia on June 17 is at the AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Dallas area, Texas.

City of Dallas park rules state: “Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in the park, public street, sidewalks and parking adjacent to the park,” with restrictions also applying to other parts of the city.

Jordan Henderson and Harry Kane walk out onto the pitch prior to a training session on June 05, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida

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Harry Kane’s team will then play against Ghana on June 23 at the Gillette Stadium, Foxborough (Boston), Massachusetts.

Boston University warns its students that it is illegal for anyone “to consume alcoholic beverages in public (sidewalks, streets, parks, and so on)”.

England then meet Panama at the MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey (New York) on June 27.

New York health chiefs stress the restrictions imposed on drinking in public and in vehicles under the “open container” laws.

Scotland play twice at the Gillette Stadium, against Haiti on June 14 and Morocco on June 19 before the team’s big challenge against Brazil at the Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Miami on June 24.

The “open container law” in Miami generally applies to public streets, sidewalks, parks, beaches, and other public areas, though there are some exceptions.

For fans travelling around the US, the regulations on drinking in public are often complex.

Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Hawaii all have strict statewide bans on public alcohol consumption, according to a 2023 report by digital media company Vinepar which specialises in drinking stories.

Arizona is one of the states which has a state-wide law on drinking in public

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It also lists a string of states where while there is no statewide ban, a variety of restrictions apply to drinking in public, with some exemptions.

These exemptions are often geographical, for example for some entertainment districts, a city like New Orleans, based on the level of alcohol in drinks, or time of day.

These states include Alaska, Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Ohio, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri and Mississippi.

Other states with the same mix of regulations are Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Dakota, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont and Wyoming.

The Foreign Office travel advice also cover buying tickets, including from unofficial sites, visas, travel insurance, fan zones and extreme weather.