What does it mean to be working for the UKFPU going into the largest World Cup ever?
I feel very privileged to have the opportunity to lead the policing team travelling to the World Cup. This tournament provides a valuable opportunity for us to collaborate closely with colleagues across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, ensuring we play our part in helping England fans enjoy the safest and best possible experience while following the national team.
As with all major tournaments, our preparation has been extensive. In the lead‑up to this World Cup, we have been engaging regularly with law enforcement agencies from all three host nations. The scale of that engagement alone highlights the size and complexity of this event, not only geographically, but also in terms of the number of agencies involved in planning and delivery.
The officers travelling with me are highly experienced in policing football and major events. Many supporters will have seen us at previous tournaments, If you get the chance, please do come and speak with us, we are there to support you.
How much are you looking forward to the tournament?
We are very much looking forward to the World Cup. On a personal note, I still remember the disappointment of England not qualifying for the 1994 tournament, and the sense that a World Cup never feels quite the same when your national team isn’t there. That memory makes this tournament particularly special for many of us.
Professionally, this is an excellent opportunity for our supporters to once again demonstrate how well they represent England on the global stage. Having held this role for several years and travelled extensively with England fans, I can say with confidence that the vast majority behave impeccably. They have consistently shown pride and respect at major tournaments, and the outdated reputation that sometimes follows them simply does not reflect the reality of recent years.
Our aim for North America 2026 is to work closely with law enforcement agencies across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, ensuring we provide a clear and effective bridge between England fans and local policing partners. Through engagement, information sharing, and visible support, we hope to play our part in helping fans enjoy a safe, positive, and memorable tournament experience.
What will things look like for you out there, will we see you on the ground?
We will be deployed in the Cities where England play during the World Cup and we will be out and about throughout the tournament, and we hope to meet many of our fans during that time. Our role is to support the host authorities in delivering a safe and enjoyable event. Due to a lack of funding from the host nations, we will be travelling as a much smaller team this year, however we are all extremely experienced around football and event policing. To that end, we will be visible, approachable, and actively engaging with supporters, we will maintain close links with the FSA throughout — offering advice, reassurance, and assistance wherever it’s needed.
As I mentioned earlier, please come and speak to us; we are here to help make your experience as positive and safe as possible.
Of course, part of our responsibility is also to identify and deal with the small minority whose behaviour risks damaging the reputation of England supporters. Having travelled with England fans over recent years, I have seen first-hand the pride, passion, and overwhelmingly positive conduct of the vast majority.
As the head of the policing team, I am committed to ensuring we respond swiftly and effectively to any individuals or groups whose behaviour falls below acceptable standards. We will work closely with our host nations counterparts to identify and take action against those who seek to undermine the tournament or the reputation of English football.
What are your expectations?
Travel distances and costs may be a barrier for many supporters, and we anticipate a very different dynamic compared with the Euros in Germany, where hundreds of thousands of England fans travelled.
However, our experience shows that the passion and commitment of our supporters is exceptional. England fans have consistently travelled in significant numbers to recent World Cups in Brazil, Russia, and Qatar, demonstrating an unrivalled level of dedication to following the team around the world.
At each of those tournaments, England fans have conducted themselves impeccably, often in challenging circumstances, and I see no reason why this year should be any different. Their behaviour and pride in representing our country abroad have been evident throughout, and we fully expect that positive reputation to continue.
What are your messages for travelling England fans?
As with all major tournaments, preparation is essential. We encourage supporters to plan ahead, do their research, and make use of reliable sources. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) website provides comprehensive guidance on travel, accommodation, and local requirements, and is an excellent starting point for anyone making the trip.
This World Cup is unique in that England may play in up to three different countries. Supporters should be aware that laws, customs, policing styles, and expectations may vary significantly between host nations. Even within the United States, individual states have their own regulations and approaches, so it is important that fans familiarise themselves with local rules wherever they are travelling.
We ask that supporters continue the positive legacy built over recent tournaments and demonstrate to host nations the outstanding way in which England fans conduct themselves. Representing our country with pride, respect, and responsibility helps ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.
