England World Cup fans to be accompanied by three police officers as US refuse to pay for help

The United States have refused to fund a policing unit from the United Kingdom to help with England fans at the 2026 World Cup, The Athletic reports.

This has opened the possibility of only three officers from the UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) travelling to provide support to about 15,000 England fans expected in each group stage game.

The situation is very different from the last European Championship in Germany in 2024, when German authorities covered the costs of 40 officers working alongside local police. 

Their role was not to arrest supporters at the World Cup or patrol the streets in uniform, but to help local forces better understand English football culture and prevent tensions from growing.

However, the US has decided against funding travelling police delegations this summer.

As a result, the UKFPU must pay all expenses itself at a time when its Home Office budget has already been reduced by 10 percent.

Chief Constable Mark Roberts confirmed that the small delegation is a direct result of those financial pressures.

The three officers travelling to the US for the World Cup will work closely with American authorities, who operate within a system comprising around 18,000 separate law enforcement agencies. 

Their primary purpose will be communication rather than enforcement, as British officers have no legal powers abroad. Police leaders believe the officers can still play an important role. 

However, funding is available for only two officers from each competing country to be stationed at a central policing hub in Washington.

“This is not a criticism, this is a statement of fact,” Roberts said. “The number of officers we send is generally dependent upon the request of the hosts. 

“In Germany, we had 40 officers working with the federal and state police. You get your officers out there, and then the hosts pay for accommodation, travel and meals. It’s a different system in the US. 

“The US is not funding mobile travel delegations. We have to fund it in its entirety, and there will be three officers.”