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STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS
2026 No. 60
SPORTS GROUNDS AND SPORTING
EVENTS, ENGLAND AND WALES
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(1).
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(2) known as the 2026 FIFA (Fédération
Internationale de Football Association)(3) World Cup in the United States of America, Mexico
and Canada.
(1) 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.
(2) “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.
(3) 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.Document Generated: 2026-02-21
Status: This is the original version (as it was originally made). This
item of legislation is currently only available in its original format.
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).
Sarah Jones
Minister of State
27th January 2026 Home Office
2Document Generated: 2026-02-21
Status: This is the original version (as it was originally made). This
item of legislation is currently only available in its original format.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Order)
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.
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