England are in a World Cup. Again. And this time it is in the United States, Canada and Mexico, which means kick-off times that will either suit you perfectly or destroy your week entirely, depending on where the group stage lands.
Here is everything you need to know about following England at the 2026 World Cup with your kids.
England's Group Stage Fixtures
England vs TBC -- Tuesday 17th June 2026
Group stage opener. Kick-off time TBC but likely evening UK time given the US hosting. A good one to watch together if it falls at a reasonable hour.
England vs TBC -- Saturday 21st June 2026
The second group game. Saturdays are your friend -- no school the next day, slightly more flexibility on bedtime. Make the most of it.
England vs TBC -- Wednesday 25th June 2026
Final group stage match. By this point you will have a much better sense of whether England are being characteristically brilliant, characteristically disappointing, or characteristically both in the same match.
Watching With Kids: What Actually Works
Lean into the occasion. Get the kit out. Order a pizza. Make it feel like an event. Children remember the atmosphere more than the result -- which is useful, because the result is often not what you were hoping for.
Explain what is happening. Younger children enjoy football a lot more when someone is narrating it to them. This also gives you something to do during the less eventful passages of play, of which there will be several.
Keep snacks coming. The snack situation is mission-critical. Crisps, grapes, whatever works. A child with snacks is a child who will sit still for at least 45 minutes.
Set realistic expectations about bedtime. Evening kick-offs and early bedtimes are not compatible. Accept this, plan around it, and do not attempt to put a hyped-up five-year-old to bed during extra time. It will not go well.
Have an exit strategy. If England go a goal down and the atmosphere in the living room turns, it is worth having something lined up -- a snack, a distraction, a redirect. Children pick up on adult frustration very quickly.
Where to Watch if You Want to Go Out
If you want to watch in a pub or fan zone with the children, pick your venue carefully. A quiet local pub on a Tuesday night is fine. A packed city centre bar at full capacity is not a family outing -- it is a logistical problem.
Many London parks and outdoor spaces set up big screens for major tournaments. These tend to be more family-friendly than indoor venues, especially for afternoon or early evening kick-offs. Keep an eye on local council and venue announcements as the tournament gets closer.
The Honest Truth About Late Kick-Offs
Some of the group stage games will kick off at 9pm or later UK time. These are not family viewing. These are adult viewing, ideally with a cold drink, after the children are in bed.
Do not feel bad about this. You can debrief them in the morning. If England win, they will hear about it at school anyway.
Making It Count
A World Cup only comes round every four years. Even if your children are too young to remember it properly, there is something genuinely good about sitting together and watching England play, whatever happens.
Set the expectations low, keep the snacks high, and enjoy it. It is football. It is supposed to be fun.